Staying home with your little one is the dream come true for many mums: you’ll be there for every precious moment, sure you won’t miss out on first words or first steps. More than that, you can ensure your child is always supported and cared for, providing a stable foundation for their future.
The first few years of a baby’s life are some of the most important in terms of development, and no one knows her baby better than mum; you can watch your child’s progress closely and be immediately aware of any issues that arise so you can take care of them immediately, which will make a huge difference in rectifying speech delays or health issues.
However, it can be very hard to be a stay-at-home mum: you often feel like you don’t have enough support, and the constant demands of a growing child can make it difficult to take care of yourself the way you need and deserve. Considering these essential tips will help you stay healthy so that you can always be there for your bundle of joy, full of energy and vitality.
Don’t Be Afraid to Put Yourself First
Many mums feel very guilty when they take any time for themselves, which can lead to them feeling frazzled and unappreciated. You must center yourself and work hard to keep yourself positive; as the saying goes, if mum isn’t happy, nobody’s happy! Caring for your own needs helps you care better for your little one, as you’ll feel energized and upbeat. Tots are very attuned to the energy of the adults in their lives, and your child will be able to sense when you’re stressed, which will lead to fussiness and bad behavior.
Lean on your support system, and don’t hesitate to ask your loved ones to step up. Commit to a few hours a week where you just focus on yourself; drop the little one off at grandma’s, or ask your significant other to care for them while you go to the spa or watch a movie. You work hard all week and spend all day with your child: everyone else in your life can step in for a few hours.
Focus on Your Nutrition, Too
When you’re pregnant, you’re laser-focused on your nutrition, as you know it directly impacts your growing child, but many mums find themselves slacking on their diet when the baby arrives. Many adults skip meals due to stress, and truly, no one is more stressed than stay-at-home mums!
However, the consequences of a poor diet can be very severe, including malnutrition, exhaustion, and emotional disturbances. It can also be quite detrimental to skip meals for breastfeeding mums, who need additional nutrition to provide a steady milk supply.
When you’re incredibly busy, it’s tempting to push off your own mealtime to feed your little one, but you should follow a strict eating schedule just like you provide for your baby. Meal replacement shakes can be very helpful for hectic lifestyles, especially as they supply many important nutrients in a convenient, easy-to-consume form.
Mix up a shake as you make your baby’s meal and sip away as they feed; you’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle that ever-growing pile of laundry, or play with your darling as they get in the all-important tummy time.
Blend Exercise and Bonding Time
It’s one of the most well-known activities for new mothers: heading out with baby in tow, walking down the streets while pushing a stroller. This is a wonderful form of exercise, especially as it provides much-needed stimulation for growing minds, but you can kick it up a notch by performing some light exercises in the park, similar to a workout circuit you’d do in the gym.
As your little one grows, exercise remains an important element of teaching kids a healthy lifestyle while maintaining your own health and mental well-being. Don’t hesitate to jump on the monkey bars with your kid or play soccer with them in the backyard before heading inside for a healthy snack.
Older children love scrolling through social media, especially TikTok; we often bemoan the presence of this time-sucking apps, but they can be a source of inspiration for even more activity! Try out the newest TikTok dances with your child, laughing all the way. If your child loves playing video games, challenge them to multiplayer while standing up or marching in pace.
Not only does this show them why they must stay active, but it will also create beautiful memories that your child will look back on forever.
As stay-at-home mums, we have a lot on our plate – and if we’re stressed and upset, that plate might include unhealthy snacks meant to provide quick energy but not nourish us. Taking time for ourselves, improving our nutrition, and finding creative ways to stay active while also bonding with our little ones can not only improve health, but also help us face the everyday stresses of raising beautiful, active, and intelligent children.
