SAHM Hot Topic - How do you beat SAHM boredom?

[Maribeth]

This month's hot topic for the SAHM Cubby is How do you beat SAHM boredom? I've been a SAHM/WAHM for most of my kids' lives and I LOVE it. But let's face it, there are times when you're ready to put out your hair and have an adventure that's more than figuring out how to change baby's explosive diaper without wearing it. Share your tips with us! We'll post them in the SAHM Cubby.

Thanks!
Mari

[lunchbox]

Well, I think reading works for me. Keeps my brain working. Having my little business also keeps me stimulated. Also, I try and incorporate activities for them in my chores and I try and work stuff for me into their playtime.

I have to admit though, there are days I wake up thinking "How in the hell am I going to make through another day of playdough and the park and all that...?"

I will be checking this cubby for help for sure!

[Lisa JD]

The 1st year is the hardest and it takes some getting used to being a SAHM, but, I now love my "Groundhog day", I really really enjoy it.

I make sure we go out at least once a day to the local shop if we have no other plans for that day. I make sure I keep a few items off the big shopping list to grab mid week and we venture out and get that item and take our time and it really helps. We also have a variety of shops around here, so each adventure is a different centre and I keep $2 and Brooke enjoys a ride on the wiggles car or the Hi-5 guaitar and if I have bills to pay, I make that a seperate outing as well.

It also helps when you have a shift worker, I find having a shiftworker also breaks up the whole pattern and keeps everything different on a weekly basis.

[Viketory]

The best thing for me was to socialize more. Now that I know other SAHMs in the area I enjoy the adult conversation during playdates while my son has a good time with his friends. It's so much harder when you feel isolated.

[venus_flower]

I need to come up with something right now because I'm seriously down in the dumps these days. I've been trying to break it up by doing more fun family projects like ice cream in a baggie (in the Food for the Family forum) and we plan to make a felt alpaca wool rug this weekend. Being around other grown ups helps alot, too. I thought that working one day a week would help, too, but that turned into a HUGE disaster and is what has me down in the dumps now. But it always lifts my spirits when we go to visit family during the week, or have a playdate and I can talk to other adults and the kids have a great distraction. I'm putting together a pool party at my mom's tomorrow and it's helping my doldrums just getting things planned. I can't wait!

[M&M]

The thing that works best for me is to just get out of the house. I have to get out of the house at least once a day. We go to the park, library, story time at the book store, play dates, heck...even just going to Target helps on some days.

I have found that I have to make an effort to be more social because it is easy to just stay inside all day (especially when it is so hot). But if I invite a friend over to just hang out it makes the day breeze by.

Also reading helps a lot or any other kind of hobby....Sewing, scrapbooking, Storknet??

And playing games (like Suduko or crossword puzzles) when I am outside watching my kids play helps the time go by faster.

[Ellie Jan]

I'm struggling with this right now. When I had 2 I found it much easier. As long as we got outside then the days were wonderful. It got to the point that Taylor (my 3 yo) would know where we were going based on the day (Mon-playgroup, Tues-YMCA, Wed-Library etc.). With 3 I am finding it so much harder to leave the house that we don't very often. I think we are all feeling the struggle of being stuck home.

Marcia

[wanttobepregnantnow]

We go out every single day, usually me biking toting Maya for at least an hour. Most days we eat lunch out, do errands, pick up groceries. We are putting our house up for sale this weekend so there is lots to do. However, I do get bored because I am used to working and having a lot of work pressure prepping for teaching etc. So, I still struggle with it because I can be busy but not stimulated. That said, I am loving having my time with Maya this summer; I really missed her all year.

[DebbieL]

I do a lot of volunteering at my girls' school. I'm extremely involved in the PTO and I volunteer one day a week for 3 hours in the Reading Room.

For some reason I'm never bored. I'm always busy with errands, appointments, cleaning etc...that I'm never bored.

[ErinFiat]

Having a change of scenery is huge for both me and the kids. We try to go to the Y daily. If for some reason we can't, we make a trip somewhere. For us, the library is a great "just because" trip. We also have a zoo pass (that we don't use enough of considering it's now free to go). On days we can't make it out in the car for whatever reason, a little walk to the mail box goes a long way.

I also try and connect with at least one adult other than my husband during the day. Not only is it enjoyable for me, it keeps me from spilling everything of the day onto him all at once.

Let's not forget "Mom's night out!" Once in a while, I plan something that doesn't involve my husband or children. It's refreshing and makes me a better wife/mother. It's kind of funny...building up to, I have something to look forward to (sometimes makes a tantrum easier to get through). Then, afterward, I can stress and then stop and think of something funny someone said, etc.

Ok, last thing. I'm pretty sure this might make me certifiable, but here goes. Yardwork. I really enjoy mowing the lawn. The kids can be out playing. I get the "peace & quiet" of the mower. They love to help me weed the flower beds (which is a crack up to me). Outside is to me another change of scenery and good for us all. This has nothing to do with SAHM boredom, but it's funny, so I'll mention it. The IL's have dogs. On more than one occasion now, DD has ASKED to go pick up dog poop. She said it's like treasure hunting. She's all over helping Grandma in the yard.