Survive being a SAHM
1. Relax. This is #1 because it is the hardest thing for me. I don't relax well, I can never turn off my brain. I over analyze situations, friendships and my daily ability to NOT get things done. So her is my advice: Just relax. Things will get done.
2. Ask for HELP.
You heard me. ASK FOR HELP. A friend offers to stop by with coffee, say THANK YOU. Then when you look longingly at her free arms, put a baby or a basket of laundry in her hands. Everyone likes to be helpful!!!
3. Don't be afraid to say NO.
While helpful visitors are great, sometimes you just need to say NO. For me, when someone comes over I end up doing more work than if I were alone. I have to clean off the couch, move the mount of empty dishes that are littered around every flat service, put on clothes (yesterdays jammies just don't cut it) and then entertain them. Ugh. Just thinking about it makes me tired.
4. Get out of the house.
Find a local baby store, like Waddle n Swaddle, that offers classes, support groups and a baby friendly place to shop! No local store within comfortable driving distance? Just go walk around your local Buy Buy Baby. I promise you will find Moms just like you wondering the store. (I end up talking to someone every time I go in there!)
5. Lower your expectations.
You made it to the grocery store and actually purchased something - good. You made it to Nursing Circle? AMAZING! Everyone made it thru the day?
6. PUT THE PHONE DOWN.
Being alone with a baby can be lonely. So what is a little social media interaction? Good. Spending hours scrolling thru your news feed? Bad for your head!
Homemade Playdough
Last year for Christmas our good friend Noah, the kid behind EarlyMama.com, gave us a super cool gift - homemade playdough! We played with it for weeks (until it got left out... opps!) and had a blast. So this year, Cole and I made it for his preschool class as a Holiday Gift. Below is our recipe that we have tweaked over the past month. All measurements have survived the 'kid-help', so feel free to let the kids do most of the work!
Ingredients:
2 cups Water
2 cups Flour
2/3 cup Salt
4 teaspoons Cream of Tarter
2 tablespoons Oil
(Canola is better than Vegetable in general, but use whichever you have on hand)
FOOD COLORING
Optional: Essential Oil
(Lime, Lavander, Peppermint, Grapefruit, etc)
Supplies:
Non-Stick Pot (4 quart stainless steel pictured below)
Parchment Paper
Spatula/Spoonula
Storage Containers (Glad 4oz. Mini Rounds pictured below)
Instructions:
- Heat the water and oil in a pot over medium low heat.
- Stir in all of the dry ingredients.
- Continue to stir......
- Just keep stirring, just keep stirring, just keep stirring stirring stirring....
- Add 4 or more drops of food coloring.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of Essential Oil.
- Keep stirring until a dough is formed
- Remove from pot (should be easy and already in a large ball)
- Let cool
- Knead until smooth
- Store in airtight containers
 |
| The Aftermath |
 |
| Before Kneading |
Merry Christmas!
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!
This is our family tree from Adams! Looks great on my Escape…. if the words on the side don’t make you do a double take, the huge tree on top will! Have you seen my car around town? Take a pic and tag me #VanessaRhinebeckFord!
12 Days of Chirstmas Rhinebeck Ford
During the twelve days of Chirstmas, Rhinebeck Ford gave to me
12 volt power adaptor
11 miles 'till empty
10 way power drivers seat
9 options on navigation
8 cupholders
7 seconds to 60
6 speed Select-Shift transmission
5 years roadside assistance
4 wheel drive
3,500 lbs towing capability
2 key fobs with remote start
That's
1 Family Friendly Vehicle
To the tune of 12 Days of Christmas, I wrote this informative song about my Ford Escape Titanium from Rhinebeck Ford. I am thoroughly enjoying all the cool features of this car, especially the remote start! For more information about the Titanium Challenge and the Ford Escape - visit RhinebeckFord.com
Disclosure: I am the 2013 Titanium Challenge winner which entitles me to a 2 year lease on a Ford Escape Titanium. Rhinebeck Ford requires that I post, via social media, about the car. All opinions are my own and posts are not pre approved by RF.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)