How to be the Best Stay-at-Home Mom

A child who has a Mother who can be at home 24/7 is blessed. The relationship that forms between Mother and child is powerful and it is a wondrous thing. Many times, when a Mother chooses to be a 'stay-at-home' Mom, the vision some have is that all she does is eat bon bons and watch tv all day.

When I was still teaching, we would share what career family members had. Children would often say: 'my Mom doesn't work...she stays home all day'. With those words from the children, a need arose. That image needed to be erased from their minds.

"Just because your Mom stays at home does not mean she does not work. She does so many things for you while you are away", or some words very close to those, fell out of my mouth. Making room on the board, a list of some of the things Mom does was written...these are some of the things children said moms do : sweeps, vacuums, does dishes, mops, washes, dries, folds, and puts away clothes, or, puts them where you can find them to put away when you come home, shops for food, AND, prepares a snack and dinner!!! By the time we had generated the list, even very young children could see...My Mom does work.

Stay at home Moms like their sisters; the 'work-outside-the home' Mom are busy 24/7. We cannot forget that some of these stay-at-home Moms also work a 'job' via their computer.

Wonder women ALL!!

BABY FIRST

Add a toddler to the mix...and o, my, a bundle of energy, curiosity, and unexpected surprises enters your world. What an opportunity is presented to you!! You can fill the little bundle with all of the experiences that are possible right there in your home.

Prioritize your day...put Baby at the top of the list. Trust me, not one dish will get up and run away if you do not get it washed on YOUR schedule. It may even be possible for someone else in your household to learn how to fill the sink, add the dish soap, and clean up those dishes!!! Taking time away from A L L you have to do is an investment of your time you will not want to miss.

It is Baby's Home, Too...

Make it your child's home too. Manipulatives like magnetized 'abc's' for the refrigerator (there are many shapes and sizes available) should be at Baby's fingertips. A cabinet filled with plastic dishware and utensils that Baby can explore needs to be set aside. A toy container in your living room, or, wherever the familyl gathers and spends the most time, needs to house the most favorite toys..

Rotating toys periodically is a way to have something new on hand. Sometimes gifts are given to your child that are not appropriate for a 12 month old child for example. Keeping that toy tucked away and bringing it out when Baby is ready for this new experience can provide more hours of play. Remember to rotate familiar toys. Select half ot the toys and store them away and put out a new selection. A new opportunity for discovery. (Take time to research toys before spending money for them. Be sure it is safe, that pieces will not fall off, break and form sharp points, for example. Try to buy things that will stimulate not be tossed aside.)

Make picking them up a game.. You will be the 'winner' at this game most of the time...because your toddler is just learning to follow your lead. Having toys in your child's room and throughout the rest of the house provides stimulation and says 'welcome'.

An explosion of toys everywhere...check...happy Baby...check : two out of two is not bad! Clean up may occur several times throughout the day... that will depend on your needs.

Baby monitors...

A magnificent piece of technology to have for you is a baby monitor that allows you to view your child's room. If you do not have one of those in your budget, another one is the monitor that allows you to speak to your child from another room in your home; it is one you will come to treasure. When your toddler is waking up, you can hear the little waking up sounds being made...and you can begin to quietly speak reassuringly to Baby. It will make the transition from sleepy- time to being awake a gentle, soothing experience.

Books, songs, and dance...

Books should abound. Books everywhere...you read, baby 'reads', brother reads, daddy reads, everyone reads...and sing and dance with Baby, too. Why not? Your baby loves the sound of your voice and to have you move to music. . Even if you do not think you are ready for American Idol or Dancing with the Stars, your Baby does! My children loved it when I sang...and o, my, I am no threat to any singer.....that old saying, 'cant' carry a tune in a bucket'...that's me. My grandbaby smiles and dances with me every time a tune comes on that catches his ear. What fun...you will feel a symphony in your chest!!!!

'Itsy Bitsy Spider' is a song that children love and this little guy pictured in the video on this page is no exception. He sat on Momme's lap and watched himself in the screen on her laptop while she sang and cheered him on as he began to learn some of the gestures. She is teaching him some sign language so learning gestures does not to seem to be too troublesome.

This young mother stays home each day. She rushes around getting everything 'spit spot', all the while including her son. Overwhelming? Sometimes...but she is really working on putting Baby first! A variety of toys helps.He has a whiteboard and whiteboard crayons and markers, toys of all kinds; many with wheels which fascinate him. Others of particular interest are toys with lights and music. He is like any other child...empty boxes, roomy enough for him to crawl in and drag in some other toys, provides hours of fun. His Mommie told me for his birthday I should just give him boxes!!!

What really interests your Toddler?

Find out what interests your child more than anything else. Next, find a way to spotlight that in your home. This little guy (shown in the video) can hear the train coming that passes his house several times a day long before anyone else can. He runs in the direction of the sound of the train every time.His Mommie made a special stool, covered with kid-friendly, soft material. She rearranged the living room The stool is just the right height and is situated at the windows where the Baby can watch the train pass. 'Woo hoo' can be heard each time the train passes as he waves at the passing cars.

Another favorite way for him to spend time is with books. More often than not, he will be found...sitting on the floor, 'reading' a book. Many times, he will rush over and plop the book on your lap ready to share some enchanting part with you.

Begin each day with expectation; it is another gift; .another 24 hours you have been given to share with your family. It will become an experience unmatched by any other as you spend that day with your Toddler. No two days are the same. Each day is a new day of discovery and learning for the little one and for you as you watch in amazement at the 'something new' your Toddler will do.

As a Mom you are ON whether a stay-at-home Mom or a 'working-outside-of-the-home' mom. Youu are juggling...it is an art...carefully orchestrated by Y O U.

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