How to be a Happy Stay at Home Mom: 9 Habits of a Happy Stay at Home Mom

Learn simple habits that can help you stay a sane and happy stay at home mom.

Being a mom is hard. It’s good, but hard.

Someone once told me that “mom’s who say being a mom is fun are either lying or aren’t doing it right”. (haha, maybe there’s some truth in that).

Being a stay-at-home mom is hard in it’s own way.

I was a stay-at-home mom from the time my daughter was born in 2013 until 2018.

We had my son in 2016.

We decided that it was best for me to go back to work so my husband could go back to school. Being a working mom is hard as well and has its own set of challenges. They are both hard in different ways.  

But while I was staying at home, one of the biggest challenges for me was feeling depressed, lonely, and anxious all day with the kids.

By the end of the day I was tried, frustrated, and hyped up on anxiety that I couldn’t seem to come down from.

I enjoy spending time with my kids but I was experiencing mommy burnout everyday, and then I wasn’t able to give my kids the attention they needed, or I was always tired and upset.

There were days when my husband was at work late, or at work during the day and school at night, or had to come home and do homework all evening. So I was with the kids 90% of the time. A lot of those days were really hard. 

However, I found that if I stuck to a few guidelines and/or habits, then my day was better, more productive, and I was happier.

Being a stay-at-home mom is a full time job, it takes planning, managing, and a whole lot of energy.

Whether it’s keeping your toddler from pouring out the entire gallon of milk on the floor or painting Starry Night with poop on your bedroom wall, it can be crazy!

Here are some tips for staying sane.

9 Habits of a Happy Stay-at-home Mom

1. Schedule

Create a schedule for yourself and the kids. Here is one I like to stick to. 

I’m not saying you always have to stick to it, but a flexible schedule is always helpful.

Plus kids like routine, and we are all creatures of habit. If they get on a good nap schedule then they’re more likely to nap at the same time every day.

Just don’t get too anxious or overwhelmed if your schedule changes.

2. Don’t stay inside

Try to get out once a day, or at least 3x a week.

Fresh air and natural light is good for everyone.

There are also several FREE things to do in the community.

Get to know your neighbors and community. Meet other moms and people. Maybe even put yourself out there. (Yikes! :)). Just make a plan to get out. It benefits you and the kids.

3. Positive Mindset

Have a positive mindset.

It is so easy for me to run away with my thoughts when I’m alone or only able to talk to a toddler all day.

I put myself down more or I think about all the negative things in my life or my situation. Don’t let your mind go there. Practice positive thinking and affirmations. You’re doing better than you think you are.

I know this is easier said then done, trust me, I know, but as you practice, it becomes easier.

4. Get dressed

This is a big one and a hard one for me.

I used to use the rule of thumb that I had to get dressed and ready for the day at least 3 out of the 5 weekdays.

This meant showering, doing my hair and makeup and getting out of my PJs.

You just feel so much better when you get yourself ready and presentable.

You don’t have to do it everyday, but try to create some type of guideline to make yourself get out of your PJs. You are more likely to go out and more likely to be productive.

5. Have a morning routine

Have a morning routine for yourself.

Wake up before the kids and take some time to exercise, read, stretch, pray, shower, and get ready for the day.

It starts your day off with happiness and your chances of being more productive increase.

Waking up to a crying baby isn’t fun.

Although, if you have a newborn, this could be a little hard because you want to sleep as much as possible. Try to remember that it’s only a phase. Give yourself at least 3 months to get into a routine and get the baby sleeping.

6. Have a night routine

Also, have a night routine.

Beginning and ending your day on a good note makes it a great day.

Take some time for yourself after the kids go to bed. Get ready for the next day, pray, journal, or get your exercise in. Take some “me time” with a long bath or curl up with a good book.

7. Do the little things.

Do the little things that make you happy.

Don’t be overly concerned with the things that “HAVE” to be done that you don’t do the things you want.

You might have heard me say this before, but take that 3:00 pm chocolate break in your pantry. I used to look forward to the 3:00 hour. Create more of those in your life and throughout your day. Live outside the box.

8. Let Go

Let go of the small things.

Or as they say “don’t sweat the small stuff”.

The house doesn’t have to be clean everyday.

You don’t have to be the perfect mom everyday.

It’s okay to mess up and it’s okay to have cereal for breakfast once a week or more. It’s also okay if you get off schedule, or the baby misses a nap.

Don’t stress. You’re doing awesome!

9. Meet people/Serve People

Like I mentioned earlier. Get out in the community and meet people.

I have lived in 5 different places while being a SAHM and each time I involved myself with the people around me, I was happier.

Find opportunities to serve and love others. Create opportunities for yourself and for your kids. Look at your time at home like opportunity to help your kids learn and grow.

For a long time I was consumed by my loneliness, depression, and anxiety.

I didn’t want to take the effort to do these things. But when I did, and it became habit for me, I was happier. I felt like I could give my kids the right attention, I had more energy, and my kids flourished.

I feel like it’s a constant cycle of re-evaluating and re-adjusting to find out what works for me.

I also have days where nothing seems to work; I’m just depressed. And that’s okay. I let myself have a day, and I just jump right back on the wagon tomorrow.

What things do you do to stay sane as a stay-at-home mom?

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