• About/Contact
  • Disclosure | Privacy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Sponsorship
  • Home

Tips, activities and support for staying home with your children and joyfully surviving it!

  • Mom Survival Store
  • Complete Guide for SAHMs
  • Kids Activities
    • Infant Activities
    • Toddler Activities
    • Preschool Activities
      • Preschool at Home Curriculum
    • School Age Activities
    • Free or Cheap Kids Activities
  • Motherhood
    • Motivation
      • Me time
    • Homemaking
      • Organization
      • Quick Tips
      • Recipes
    • Faith
    • Parenting
    • Marriage
  • Natural Living
    • Young Living Starter Kit
    • Essential Oils Recipes
    • Cleaning Tips

Maximize Your Time As A Stay-at-Home Mom

September 16, 2011 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

Ready to have the ENERGY to be the best mom you can be? Get started! Thanks for stopping by!

Welcome back! Did you already get started here?

Stay-at-home moms can maximize their time at home with this tip.
I used to get bored as stay-at-home mom. Those days made me question whether being a stay-at-home mom was worth it. As a former teacher, and a child who had a stay-at-home mom, I knew that what I was doing was valuable, but I needed to add things into my day to feel more successful. This quick tip helped guide my interactions with my son and helped encourage me to see the things that I was already doing with him to encourage his development. It might be controversial, but when used in the right way it was very helpful to me.

 

When I had one child, I could get the house cleaned all in one day, and still had time for myself during naptime and after bedtime EVERY day. I had moments when I wondered what in the world I was going to do next. It is a nice problem to have-feeling accomplished to the point of feeling bored. Now, I wish for boring days, but I know I am in a different season of life with more children and less time for me time right now. It will not last forever. I know it is a busy season of life, but still a blessing.

I used this tip for maximizing my time at home as a stay-at-home mom to make sure I was being mindful of all the ways I could teach my children to prepare them for school. Homeschooling was not on my radar at this point, but this is really helpful if you do homeschool. A series of simple checklists that can reveal areas where your child still needs to work on developmental skills, and where they are strong, is so valuable. There is no need to obsess over assessment, but using them here and there to help guide your activities at home as a stay-at-home mom has only helped my children be over-prepared for school when they started Kindergarten.

Here is my quick tip for maximizing your time as a stay-at-home mom:

Download a developmental checklist for your child and check out what skills they have mastered or need to work on. (Don’t stress the ages listed for mastery, but use them as a guide for interactions and activities…really, don’t stress it!)  I use checklists from the Centers for Disease Control website when my children are infants and toddlers.

 

When my children are preschool age, I use an assessment form that I used when I was teaching preschool. I also have an assessment form for children who are in Kindergarten. They helped me prepare my son for Kindergarten and was important to helping me check that I was preparing my daughter well with our homeschool preschool activities.

 

When to Use Assessment Forms

Children take time to learn new skills-some need more time than others. I use these assessment forms about every 6 months. When I was focusing on my homeschool preschool lessons with my oldest daughter, I used the preschool assessment form in the Fall as we started, and then again around March to see what we still needed to work on-or review.

 

Developmental assessements are controversial, but I think they can help you see your child’s strengths and weaknesses. (Yes, our perfect little munchkins each have areas where they can improve-well, mine do anyway!)

 

Once you take a look at one, and check off all that your child already does well, it will make more sense. You’ll realize how well you are teaching them as well as realize the skills that she still needs to learn, which will help you pick activities activities for your infant, toddler or preschooler to encourage growth. Watch your child as they play, listen as they speak, look for their interests and observe how they interact with others. This is the work we can and need to do as stay-at-home moms. We have a unique ability to have a whole picture of our child’s strengths and weaknesses because we spend so much time with them at home. That is a benefit!
Stay-at-home moms can maximize their time at home with this tip.

What tips do you have for maximizing your time as a stay-at-home mom?

 

Follow The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide by email and get freebies…

Sign up for The Stay-at-Home Mom Survival Guide newsletter and get freebies as a gift!

Successful Mom Daily Checklist to help you gain balance between housework and play time with the kids. Get more done, and feel more successful as a mom and homemaker.

Enjoy your time at home!

Your Name

Filed Under: activities, quick tip Tagged With: development, homeschool, infants, preschool, toddlers

Trackbacks

  1. Why I Don't Have Mom Guilt - The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide says:
    December 13, 2015 at 12:42 pm

    […] I keep all the activities I make as long as they are in good condition. I store them in ziplock bags and place the bags into storage cubes. The kids know where their learning games are and the younger ones get to try them as they grow. I have prepared my kids for kindergarten with this approach and I have no guilt because I am maximizing my time as SAHM. […]

    Reply
  2. Think Like A Teacher - The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide says:
    August 31, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    […] on that. [Plus, use the developmental milestones that are in your sights to work on, because I know you read “Tip 1”!]  Jot down or just remember-you can take it as far as you want.  You will be amazed at […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Me on Instagram!

sahmsg_jaimi

As far as our home and homeschool, 2021 has been a As far as our home and homeschool, 2021 has been a dream so far! 

Kids are eager to learn and ask for more, we have a system down, and I am even getting rest time in the evening after the kitchen is cleaned up. My husband and I get time together while the kids are still awake which is important for them to see. 

It has taken some realization of truth to create this peace and balance. Teaching my kids is a full time job. I am giving it that time this year and it is making all the difference. #shed #deadweightisgone #focusonthepresent #focusonfamily #thisismywork #homeschoolingmom #homeschoolingmama #homeschoolisafulltimejob #intentionalhomeschooling #intentionalmotherhood #intentionalmama #wifeandmother #homemakingmotivation #schoolathome #lifebalance
How long have you known your spouse? This guy an How long have you known your spouse? 

This guy and I met our senior year of high school. What a journey we were in for and did not ever realize! 

•4 kids + 1 miscarriage
•Navigating long distance relationship while dating, engaged and married
•Working to build faith as the center and focus of “us”
•Loving each other at our ugliest moments
•Building our home team for the long term

Every time the world feels heavy, chaotic, and strange, our marriage is a safe place. It makes our home calm amongst the storm of global politics. 

I have grown content with our imperfections- because there are much bigger problems to navigate in the world...am I right?! 😳

That brings me so much peace. 

Loving not only how well we work together but also the ways we still need to improve. That is where I am in my marriage. Grateful to have so much history with this guy. It fills my tank for all the years we have ahead of us to navigate as well. 

#marriedtomybestfriend #cliche #iknowtoomuch #humorinmarriage #truelove #imperfectlove #imperfectmarriage #beingcontent #marriagegoals #letGodlead #marriagecenteredonfaith #longtermgoals
It does not matter if you are a man or a woman, yo It does not matter if you are a man or a woman, you can not do it all well. 

Hi, my name is Jaimi and sometimes I deliver truth that cuts to the heart. 👌😉

Women have been fed a lie that they can and need to juggle it all. I have learned to juggle. Eventually balls fall. 

As I took on more because I was told all that mattered was my mindset, I inevitably had to set aside the tasks that God called me to do first. We never take on more and more and more and stay in balance without setting aside more than we should.

It is not a matter of mindset, it is a matter of priorities.

Have you heard of the “one thing every day”? Many make that a clean kitchen, workout completed or devotional time. My one this is my family. If I focus on them each day I feel successful. 

In my home there is peace. The world is in chaos, power has become currency, and morals have fallen away. But “me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

It has nothing to do with gender. No one can take on something new without setting aside something they were working on already. 

Peace and order in my home is worth it. I am setting aside the things that bring chaos into my life and home. I am only focusing on the things that serve God here. 

What have you done to focus on success with completing your priorities this year? Have you made small changes to get there or large leaps?

#2021 #familyisnumber1 #familyovereverything #settingintentions #2021goals #serviceworks #intentionalmotherhood #intentionalwomen #traditionalmotherhood #homemakerlife #homemakinggoals #peacebeforechaos #choosepeace #godispeace #godislove #loveistruth #truthspeaker #truthseeker #godlywoman #godlywomanhood #pridetakesabackseat #prideisgone #humblethyself
Today we took the Christmas decorations down. It m Today we took the Christmas decorations down. It marked the real start of 2021 for us. 

For some reason I am feeling ready for Spring cleaning. Funny enough, as I was cleaning out some flower pots that had gone a little stagnant over the colder weeks, I saw shoots! My plants think Spring is on its way-it has been warm here over the last few days. 

Being greeted by this view as we were piling into the van this morning, felt energizing. 

My steps heading in to 2021 are more careful, pragmatic. It feels good to feel on course, back to what matters most, and have zero guilt for what I will put on the back burner this year to stay focused on giving my family my best. 

#Godslight #morning #morningview #sunrise #waterview #energy #healing #balance #balanceasamom #sayingseeyoulater #focusonthegood #focusongoals #familygoals #familylife #motivatedmama #pragmaticsteps #homeschoolmom #homeschoolinglife #homeschoolmama #2021goals #momlife #mom2021 #traditionalfamily #conservativemamas #familyfirst
"The only rock I know that stays steady, the only "The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family." - Lee Iacocca 

#quotes #quoteoftheday #perfectlove #imperfectpeople #family #familyfirst #lifegoal #stayathomemom #theworkisworthit #familywork #inspiredmotherhood #motherhoodrising #motherhoodjourney #momstagram #momstrong #sahmoms #sahmgoals #sahmjourney
Anyone else having about 3 Christmases with shippi Anyone else having about 3 Christmases with shipping challenges delaying packages? 🤣🤣

With family all long distance + the twins birthday 2 days after Christmas we end up with about 4 gift opening sessions over the course of Christmas week. I see no complaints from these kids. 😆 

How did package shipping go for you this year? Do you plan ahead for shipping gifts? 

We are definitely grateful for giving family. #christmasweek #giftopening #givinggifts #moregifts #feelingloved #holiday2020 #familytime2020
⭐️ LIVE GROWTH EVENT ⭐️ Bringing mamas / b ⭐️ LIVE GROWTH EVENT ⭐️
Bringing mamas / bloggers / smalls shops and influencers together! Make connections with your target market!! 
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Follow these steps below to join the Loop 👇🏼👇🏼
➡️ Follow me ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
➡️ Like this post 
➡️ Go to @motherhoodconnectiontribe and follow all directions on their post!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
👉🏼👉🏼 Like my 5 most recent and I will return!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ That’s it! Thanks for joining me & Happy Looping ✌🏻
.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
.⁣⁣⁣⁣
.⁣⁣⁣⁣
.⁣⁣⁣⁣
#motherhoodsocial #motherhoodconnectiontribe
Scanning old pics for our little pug and this one Scanning old pics for our little pug and this one made me laugh! Grumpy pug face on Maybelle and Henry. 🤣 Oh memories are sweet. 

#pugs #kids #twinmom #pugmom #rip #memories #2020 #motherhoodsocial
To whom much is given, much is expected. I have To whom much is given, much is expected. 

I have nothing but gratitude for this year, these people, and this life. 

Merry Christmas from us to you! 

#christmasgreeting #merrychristmas #christmas2020 #allgoodthings #towhommuchisgiven #abundantlyblessed #blessedbeyondmeasure #familyiswealth #wealthislove #familyfirst #christmasinspiration #theimportantthings #peoplefirst #jesusisborn #motherhoodsocial
“The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, “The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, 
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”

#believe #jesusisreal #savior #bethlehemstar #starofbethlehem #godislove #godoverscience #godfirst #truth #ohholynight #wisemenstillseekhim #womenseekhimtoo #thecurefor2020 #eternallife #motherswithcameras #faithmoms #looktothesky #savedbygrace #christmasstar #jesusbirthdaycelebration #senttosave #nightsky #heavenlybodies
Every ornament on our tree holds meaning. Many are Every ornament on our tree holds meaning. Many are kid-made; some were gifts to commemorate milestones like marriage and births; some we purchased each year with the theme of that year to remind us. 

A few ornaments have impact for other reasons. They beautify our tree while impacting the lives of female crafters in parts of the world that need to be lifted up. This new addition has a backstory. Swipe right to read it. 🌟💜 I am blessed to support the @younglivingfoundation 

I love the memories of my tree. So many favorite ornaments. 

Which of your ornaments are your favorite? 

#ohchristmastree #christmas #christmastime #ylfoundation #ylfoundationornament #christmastree #ornaments #impactinglives #worldimpact #motherhoodimpact #womenimpact #empoweringwomen #motherhoodsocial
Our acts of kindness Christmas countdown has been Our acts of kindness Christmas countdown has been going well. Weaving the activities in as learning, art and service projects in our school days has been our way of fitting in the extras this month. 

It is not that we ignore acts of kindness other times of the year. An act per day when some require driving or leg work to drop off gifts, cards or gather supplies adds some time. 

I want to keep this going after Christmas too to keep us actively displaying love and being the hands and feet of Jesus. Probably more for me than the kids!

To do that I want to make a bigger list of actions we can take. We have 25 plus a couple resources from @shelivesfree  and @coffeecupsandcrayons I will plug into a blog post. 

One act we did was decorating and sending Christmas cards to the grandparents. It was our “keep the hands busy and the mouths quiet” during read aloud time. (My method...) 

What are the random acts of kindness on your list? What are acts of kindness others have done for you that have been appreciated? 

#randomactsofkindness #actsofkindness #kindness #showlove #belove #givelove #loveothers #handsandfeetofjesus #livefaith #faithoutloud #teachthemthewaytheyshouldgo #printables #bloggers #bloggerspreadingkindness #kindnessistruth #onetruth #christmascards2020 #diyprojects #homeschoolart #homeschoolserviceproject #motherhoodinsquares #inspiredmotherhood #intentionalmotherhood #motherhoodsocial
Load More... Follow on Instagram





Copyright © 2021 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in



©2018 The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide – Jaimi Erickson

HOME | ABOUT | DISCLOSURE/PRIVACY | SPONSORSHIP

Facebook | Pinterest | Email