Mommy Mondays: Surving Staying At Home

Don't worry, I'm not about to start passing off advice on how to be a stay at home mom, because goodness knows, I am so far from the expert in that field!

This is less of a "how to" and more of an "how I."  I've been back at work for almost a month, but before that I was a stay at home mom for almost 3 months to these two guys.  I remember Thatboy being so nervous about going back to work and leaving me to handle a toddler and newborn on my own.  But I DID IT!  And this is how.

To begin with, I am a routine lover.  I find it makes things so much easier.  So I implemented one to help us through the day.

To begin, I woke up with Thatboy so I could get a shower in before the boys woke up, or at least before Thatboy left for work in case one of the boys did wake up.

Once they were up, it was breakfast, teeth brushing, and getting dressed.  And then we left the house.

This was the key to my routine, getting out of the house and doing something.  It helped keep Thatkid occupied, and tired him out a bit, and Thatbaby could sleep in the carrier.  This is when we went to museums, met up with friends, or even just headed to the library (which Thatkid loved). 

Then it was home for lunch and nap.  For all of us! 

Once we got up from nap, it was time for crafts.  I made SUCH use of Pinterest this summer!  Looking up activities to do and then putting them in action.  We made puffy sand, hanging suns, tye-died baby wipes, firework paintings,

Cotton ball sheep:

Shark hats:

And played games with balloons and pool noodles.

This was my dedicated Thatkid time.  Even though Thatbaby was usually with us, it was the time where I wasn't trying to do anything but spend time with him.   Which is important because after craft time, it was television time for Thatkid.  He got to watch a tv program while I put together dinner, and by that time Thatboy would be rolling in from work.  Another day survived!