Gifts New Stay at Home Parents Can Give (Themselves) to Save Sanity

The day to day reality of staying at home with young children can be fun, but it also can be pretty rough. Luckily, there are some things you can do each day to save your sanity – a gift that your children and spouse will also appreciate! While they seem obvious, I’m speaking from experience that when you’re in the weeds, things like eating only brownies seems perfectly reasonable. The sugar crash is not. Here is what I wish someone had told me all those months ago.

Shower.
It may seem unnecessary but it is one of the easiest things you can do to feel normal. Also, it probably is necessary.

Get ready. I found that getting dressed (clean leggings count), and even putting on basic makeup made me feel more capable. Also, there is no longer a feeling of fear should someone unexpectedly stop by.

Eat sitting down. I don’t think I sat down for breakfast or lunch the first couple of months, and it really sucked the joy and satisfaction out of the experience. Sitting also makes you eat better food (see brownie problem above).

Set a goal. It can be as small as taking that shower, or as large as your first trip to the store with the babies. If you don’t accomplish it? Hey, you kept two babies alive all day! Yay you!

Exercise. It seems like the easiest thing to give up when it all seems like too much, but endorphins are no joke. For me, the bonus is that my boys usually fall asleep during a walk/run in their stroller.

Have some semblance of routine. I generally go for a long walk in the morning (I can’t say I hate the lack of snow) and do errands or even just go for a drive in the afternoon. It gets us out and encourages napping.

Be flexible. None of this may happen because a baby needs a little extra snuggling or just wants to play. Savor it – these are the best perks of the job.

Merry Christmas from our little elves to yours!
merrychristmastree

Diana Dionne

About Diana Dionne

I’m Diana Dionne, a Caribou native now living in the country in Androscoggin County, married to another Aroostook County transplant. A former communications professional, I now am a freelance writer, and spend my days communicating (or attempting to communicate), with my identical two year old twin boys, Calvin and Abel.