SAHM group thread? [Archive]

jki

09-26-2005, 06:44 PM

SAHM to Jackson, 15 months and Cassidy, 11 weeks.

Question for all of you--how have you been filling your days?

I find it easiest if I have a schedule to follow. DS likes repetition and I don't have to think about what I am going to do.

Monday - standing date with friends to go for walk and then to the park, errands in the afternoon
Tuesday - cleaning lady comes so we go to the play area at the mall
Wednesday - Farmer's Market, play group meets in the afternoon
Thursday - Sometimes a different Farmer's Market in the morning, sometimes a play date, sometimes errands, sometimes we just play in the backyard.
Friday - Play group meets in the afternoon

We take a LOT of walks in the neighborhood.

Before DD arrived, I used to take DS to Gymboree a couple times per week. When he was younger, we would go to the Mommy Matinee once per week. I also had a support group that met regularly - I'd attend once or twice per week. The play group is invaluable... it's definitely something I look forward to each week!

LeslieR

09-26-2005, 06:47 PM

Wow, I didn't know there would be this much interest! :D Should we start a new thread on the group forum? I'm hesitant to volunteer to be threadmistress (even though I started this thread) because I'm one of the threadmisstresses for the August '05 Mommies group thread and I already have a hard time keeping up with updates there. :o Would anyone want the honors?

My son, Luke, is 7 weeks old today. :)

Right now we've been filling our days with just getting by. lol I'm hoping as he gets older that it gets easier and we have more of a routine going. I do try to take him for a walk every day depending on the weather. We run errands when DH is off and Luke really seems to enjoy getting out of the house. I'm hoping to join a mommy group-I have a list of them for the nearby towns, just haven't looked into them yet.

December27JJB

09-26-2005, 06:50 PM

Sabrinag-

Our babies are 3 days apart ;) DD was born on 6/13/05. I am in the same boat as you...

I too am bored of either the mall or sitting around the house 24/7. I want to join a mom's club but DH is home right now. (To make a long story short, he was supposed to be a SAHD but we changed our mind after DD was born. He just got his masters in May and hes looking for a job.) As soon as DH finds a job, I'll join a mom's group like stroller strides and Gymboree. I love having DH home, I want him to have some time with DD and I, but I am just so ready to get out of the house and do things. Maybe if we joined a mom's group we will meet someone who we can relate to and make other plans like having lunches at the park, etc.

December27JJB

09-26-2005, 06:58 PM

I found this site on the internet. Maybe some of you will be interested?

http://www.momsclub.org/ (http://)

gizzyntaz

09-26-2005, 07:16 PM

Filling my days - I have a playgroup on Wednesdays. Friday afternoons DH tries to come home early so we can do something. One day a week we grocery shop. Another day we do errands (Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Post Office, etc.) When the weather is nice we go to the tot lot by our house and I push DS on the swings. We sit on our front steps a lot too. :)

About 2 months ago DS and I started volunteering for a local non profit that offers rides to senior citizens. I do that one day per week (I may increase the number of days once things settle down - we're doing some home remodeling). It's REALLY flexible and I like to get out, get some adult interaction (senior citizens are so awesome - they have great stories), learn my community (I'm new to the area) and do something worthwhile. As an added bonus, DS is a BIG hit with the seniors! They LOVE him, and always comment on how well-behaved he is, how cute, etc. It makes us both feel GREAT! I strongly recommend doing some volunteer work that you can take your kids along on.... :)

lady1297

09-26-2005, 07:28 PM

I'm game...

SAHM to Edward, 13 months (8/8/04)...

vancouvergirl

09-26-2005, 08:31 PM

SAHM with 6 year old DD in 1st grade and boy/girl twins who just turned 2. there are a ton of us popping onto this thread! right on! :)

DanaLynn

09-26-2005, 08:31 PM

Joining

Hayden 20 months
Emma 9 weeks

tgray99

09-26-2005, 09:25 PM

I am mom to Aidan Christine, born 5-9-05.

What I do to fill my days:
Monday: Scrapbook at DH's grandmother's
Tuesday: Nothing so far, graduate class at night
Wednesday: Weight Watchers, errands, graduate class at night
Thursday: Church MOMS club
Friday: Nothing so far

sabrinag

09-26-2005, 10:46 PM

Here is what I have been doing...

Sometimes I walk around a nearby lake with my parents, errands, lunch with friends, go over to a fellow SAHM's house or she comes to me, an outing with my sister and niece (she is a SAHM mom too). But I really get restless when I don't have plans. Another question: what do you do in your playgroup (if you belong to one)? I feel like if I invited a couple of moms over and their kids, then there woudn't be much to do. My kids don't play with toys yet and what would we all do together for a few hours? I am kind of lost.

BTB

09-26-2005, 10:54 PM

Can I join if I have to go back to work next summer?

Evelyn is 5 months. We're working on getting into more of a routine with our outings - I love the idea of certain things on certain days, and more predictability - but we're not there yet.

Pookie

09-26-2005, 11:57 PM

I'm in. :) SAHM to Ryan born 3/15
We belong to 2 playgroups right now, but 1 isn't working so well for us and the other we get kicked out of when DS starts crawling. Here's our schedule:

Monday: I have classes at 2 times, so we don't do much.
Tuesday: Movers and Shakers class in the morning
Wednesday: busy day, class is morning (for me), sometimes a playgroup, but most of the kiddos are too old for us, lunch date with SAHM friend and her 1 y/o DD (DS's future wife ;) ), then Storytime at the library (sometimes just DH takes DS and I get a few hours off)
Thursday: DH usually has off, so I get a few hours to myself (usually to study) and they hang out
Friday: class for me in the morning, playgroup late morning (We'll probably start doing one on Tuesday when DS starts crawling, but we may join another group, too.)

dal

09-27-2005, 05:07 AM

Great thread idea.

I am a SAHM to Alyssa (2 years old) and Kailey (10 months).

how have you been filling your days?

We do most of our activities in the mornings after my youngest takes her morning nap. Then they both nap at 1pm so we just run errands or play when they wake up from the afternoon nap.

Monday: Playgroup in the morning
Tuesday: Meet a friend of mine and her 2 year old son in the morning
Wednesday: Sometimes go to my inlaws in the morning
Thursday: Music class in the morning
Friday: My mom sometimes comes for the day

alienhost

09-27-2005, 06:09 AM

Sign me up! I'm a SAHM to Kat who is 5 months (today actually :D ).

Filling my days I'd love suggestions here too. So far I have two new mom's groups that I attend. On days that I have nothing I try to go for walks, to the mall to wander around or do a bunch of errands. My week looks something like this:

Monday - try to schedule visits with other SAHMs
Tuesday - mom's group #1
Wednesday - mom's group #2
Thursday - lunch with friend or my parents visit
Friday - grocery store/other errands

lady1297

09-27-2005, 06:23 AM

Wow, all the playgroups make me feel like I'm neglecting DS! We don't do play groups or mom's groups cause I've never found one. We do errands, play in the yard or at the park, take walks, visit our neighbor of Fridays with her grandkids, that's about it...

dal

09-27-2005, 07:04 AM

what do you do in your playgroup (if you belong to one)?

Well now my kids are old enough to play with the other kids or with toys. But when my oldest was really little, I met a few moms at a BFing support group and we started a playgroup. At first, it was just us moms hanging out. We would meet and have lunch together either at our houses or out somewhere. It was just pretty much a time for us moms to get together and chat. Then the kids got bigger and started playing and interacting more.

Jen1098

09-27-2005, 07:18 AM

I wanna join

I'm a sahm to Joshua who will be 15 months on Monday and we're expecting #2 in May.

We don't have much of a routine sad to say. We don't belong to any play groups or moms groups.
Story time just started back up yesterday so we'll be doing that on Mondays.
We go for walks around the neighborhood, right now he loves pushing his little push toy up and down the sidewalk.

We'll probably be joining Gymboree again-gotta check the budget though. We don't have any music classes near us which stinks b/c I know Josh would love it.

Jodi AKA BostonTeacher

09-27-2005, 07:51 AM

I'm Jodi and my son Camden is 9 weeks old.

I'm a teacher so I didn't really feel like a SAHM until the school buses started rolling and classes started again. I am working VERY hard at keeping myself busy b/c I'm the type who will go nuts otherwise.

If you search online there are tons of moms groups out there. I got matched into my playgroup that way. A lot of hospitals or churches also run groups for new moms.

Our schedule is like this:
Monday: clean the house...list Ebay items
Tuesday: try to make plans with friends or sister
Wednesday:new mom's group (for babies under 1)
Thursday:errands
Friday: playgroup

I also have a small home business making announcements, cards and scrapbooks so I squeeze that in whenever I can. I'm taking two online grad classes and spend from 6-7 a.m. on that while DH gets the baby up, dressed and fed. I also have online sessions for those classes a couple nights a week which has been so helpful in letting me feel like my mind is being used....a badly needed feeling.

MrsTazlvr

09-27-2005, 07:54 AM

Since this is a group thread, I am going to move it to the pregnancy and beyond group forum. :)

Subscribing!

Allison is going to be 2 in December and I am pregnant with #2 due in January. :) Thanks for starting this thread.

I'll be back later to post my schedule.

December27JJB

09-27-2005, 08:13 AM

[QUOTE=Jodi AKA BostonTeacher]I'm Jodi and my son Camden is 9 weeks old.

I'm a teacher so I didn't really feel like a SAHM until the school buses started rolling and classes started again. I am working VERY hard at keeping myself busy b/c I'm the type who will go nuts otherwise.
QUOTE]

Jodi! Hello there! I remember you from the July Mommy's thread. I totally hear you on going crazy. I already am going crazy myself. I tell DH almost everyday "i wish I never quit my job" I do and I dont. I love staying home with DD but I miss doing my own thing. DH wasn't comfortable about staying home so I took over. He's looking for a job now. As much as I love having him home, I am ready for him to get a job so I can start a schedule with DD. I am finding all these playgroups, moms groups, music classes but I really want DH to have time with DD before he heads off to work. I am pulling my hair out in the meantime. ;)

Today will be DD's first Gymboree class. I am so excited!! DH will be coming with us so it should be fun.

Jen1098-
Maybe there are Kindermusik music classes offered near you? You can check on www.kindermusik.com

vjel

09-27-2005, 08:33 AM

Wow, all the playgroups make me feel like I'm neglecting DS! We don't do play groups or mom's groups cause I've never found one.

ME too! My DD is 16mos. I try to get out everyday. Even if I don't actually go somewhere, I try to get outside and walk around the block w/ her. Inevitably we will run into a neighbor and chat and kill some more time. ;) Or we'll go out on the deck and she can play in her Little Tykes play house.

I do try to think of what I need to do for the week and then plan accordingly. DD is still on 2 naps so our time out is rather limited. I'll usually run one errand a day or if I don't have any errands, at least a trip out to Target to browse around. The Mall is our friend! Yes, it does get old but it's the best place for me to go right now and let DD run around for a bit, esp when its too hot to be hotside! I'll usually find a sitting area and let her roam around it before we leave.

I also now have a gf who works from home part-time so we try to get together every week to keep each other sane!

One of my LJ buddies took her DS to Pet Smart on an outing and it was great. Haven't tried it yet but I think it would go over well w/ my DD.

linda_loo

09-27-2005, 08:33 AM

Ana - 3 and Marissa - almost 2.

maggieb

09-27-2005, 09:40 AM

We don't really have a schedule. Before Marisa was born Helena and I tried to do something outside of the house in the mornings...visit friends, grocery store, park, go for a walk, but now that the baby is here we stay at home a lot. When I first had Helena staying home was a huge adjustment for me. I was/am a teacher too and I was so used to being so busy. I have to say that with Marisa's birth, staying at home is no big deal at all anymore and I don't miss work as much as I used to.

dziner, Sept2002 and I get together often (more often before the second babies were born) so I consider them my play group. I used to take Helena to a gymboree-like class, but now that Marisa is here DH takes Helena on Saturday mornings.

QOTD: How long do you plan to stay at home? I am currently in a doctorate program for educational administration and I hope to go back as an assistant principal, but when is the big question. I used to think that I'd wait until the youngest child was in school, but that seems like forever. All of my friends have jobs as AP's now and I feel like I really missed the window, but on the other hand, I am not ready to go back just yet. So, after that long explanation, I think I'll probably go back to work when the youngest starts pre-K. Who knows? Sometimes I ponder the merits of staying home while they're in school too. I really want either me or DH to be home when they get home from school. Ack! Such decisions.

mommy2AlliWill

09-27-2005, 10:45 AM

Hi all- joining in. I am a SAHM to Alli 2 & Will 1.

We try to keep busy by playing with friends & running errands & we walk to the playground almost daily. I have done gym & swim classes too but we aren't enrolled in anything right now.

I do crave time alone so I started taking classes at night towards a new professional certification & DH takes the kids for a while each night so I can go for a run, sell ebay stuff for extra cash & just recharge my engines.

Montaukbea

09-27-2005, 11:32 AM

I was just searching last night for a SAHM thread! Thanks for starting it! I am Mommy to Jameson born July 28, 2005. I am just starting to get bored, I was a teacher, too! I think I will look into a new mom's playgroup. I was wondering the same thing. If my DS doesn't "play" what kind of group would there be for me and him! :D

lorialys

09-27-2005, 11:38 AM

Joining! As of next month I'll be a SAHM to my son, Lucas. Let's just hope he arrives sooner rather than later so I can start having as much fun as you ladies all do!

Astara

09-27-2005, 11:43 AM

I really like the idea of this thread too.. I will be a SAHM very soon so I'd really like to join. It will be nice to be able to talk to other SAHM's.. Should we start an "official" thread as LeslieR suggested or just leave as is? I wouldnt mind setting up the thread and/or co-moderating as my daughter isnt here yet!! :)

Bubbas

09-27-2005, 11:44 AM

Joining in. SAHM to Zachary, born 11/04/04.

There is a Family Development Center at one of the Universities nearby that has been a Godsend.

Tues & Thurs they have Stop N Play which is unstructured playtime for 2-1/2 hours. It is great for the babies and the moms.

Wed they have Baby Play where we do different structured activities.

Fri they have PIT Stop Workshop, which stands for Parents if infants and toddlers. The teachers play with the kids and the moms get to talk with each other about issues they may be having.

I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this place to go to.

LeslieR

09-27-2005, 11:49 AM

QOTD: We are planning on me staying home until all of our kids are in school full time. We are hoping to have another baby in a few years, so I'm guessing I will be stay home for about 8 or 9 years. And even then I plan on just working part time so I can be home when they get home from school.

vjel

09-27-2005, 11:58 AM

Let's just hope he arrives sooner rather than later so I can start having as much fun as you ladies all do!

lol! I wish it was fun! ;) Don't get me wrong, I am glad that I've been able to stay home w/ DD, however, it is MUCH harder than I ever imagined. Some days are just so draining. No one pats you on the back and says "good job" or even "thanks" like when you work outside the home and you certainly don't get paid. Sometimes there is so much to do but you're just too tired to get it done. When you want to get stuff done, your DC won't let you b/c s/he is getting into things or wants your undivided attention or doesn't want to be put down for one second. Some days I don't even know how I get through...you blink, it's 5pm you have to feed DC, get dinner prepared for yourself and DH and the house is totally ransacked. :(

DH's cousin (a lawyer) said to him recently that she thinks me staying at home is like being at the spa all day (she has a DD a few months younger than our DD) :eek: hello?!? are you on crack?!?!?!

MrsTazlvr

09-27-2005, 12:06 PM

Should we start an "official" thread as LeslieR suggested or just leave as is? I wouldnt mind setting up the thread and/or co-moderating as my daughter isnt here yet!! :)

I moved the thread to the official groups area, but feel free to start a moderated thread if you want. I guess the only difference would be a master list in the first few posts, right?

Schedule~ Allison is now in preschool M, W, F from 9-1, so those days are pretty routine. I try to take her to Target, etc. after school some days to make nap time a little later. The other days I always schdule an event with my playgroup. I started my own local playgroup on Yahoo when I wasn't happy with the other playgroups I had joined. It was a lot of work in the beginning to get it started, but now we have become like a big family. I have watched these kids grow up over the last year and the mommies and I are pretty close. We now have 30 active members. We even grew so large that we started a waiting list to keep the intimate feel. If you are looking for a moms group, check out groups.yahoo.com and do a local search for moms groups in your area. It was really a life saver for me. If anyone has any questions on starting your own group, let me know. I have helped several other moms in the area start their own group.

Going back to work~ Since DD#2 is on the way and we can't really afford to put 2 kids in daycare, I won't be going back to work until Allie is in Kindergarten. Since she is a December baby, she misses the cut off by a few months and will be almost 6 when she starts Kindergarten and I go back to work.

Astara

09-27-2005, 12:09 PM

QOTD I plan on being a SAHM until everyone is in school full time as well. Then I still wont be going back to work, I will more than likely volunteer my time for something to do during the day.

Astara

09-27-2005, 12:14 PM

I moved the thread to the official groups area, but feel free to start a moderated thread if you want. I guess the only difference would be a master list in the first few posts, right?

Yes, that and a thread name change~ :) I really dont mind either way though.. I was just wondering what everyone wanted to do. :)

lauren f s

09-27-2005, 12:17 PM

I'd like to join. I'm a SAHM mom to Ava, 21 months.

Here's a basic schedule of our week:
MON: stay home; it's my "big" cleaning day and she usually enjoys helping me sweep and dust
TUES: about to start a new playgroup; she just finished a program at a nearby church
WED: our day out; we'll run errands then go to the park, the mall, a nearby gourmet grocery store, etc. I want to go to the art museum soon and the zoo & arboretum when it cools off.
THURS: semi-regular playdate with her cousin, Miguel.
FRI: story-time at library at 10:30. We'll usually either leave early for a snack out somewhere or go out for lunch afterwards.

We also go outside to the playground in our apt. complex in the mornings while it's still cool and play outside with sidewalk chalk, bubbles, or just in the dirt while she waits for Daddy to come home.

QOTD: I don't know how long I'll stay home. Most days I really enjoy it, but there are others when I would love to go out and work. For now, as long as we're able, I'll gladly stay home with Ava. If I needed to go back to work, I'd do it, but I'm pretty happy where I am.

LeslieR

09-27-2005, 12:40 PM

Yes, that and a thread name change~ :) I really dont mind either way though.. I was just wondering what everyone wanted to do. :)

Sounds good to me! Like I said, I don't think I can handle moderating two threads. :o

Traciann

09-27-2005, 12:46 PM

I would like to join!

Traci and DD Mary Kate 5 Months

It sounds like there are alot of moms that are students! I am currently going part-time this semester, I am working on my elementary education degree.

I don't really have a set schedule other than Wednesday when I have class at night. DH takes over and its really nice! plus he gets some good one on one time with her. I don't even think she notices I am not there! We doing church playgroups every other week, and every other Friday I have MOPS.
Even though I didn't really like my job prior to having a baby, it was a harder adjustment than I thought it would be.

Traci

December27JJB

09-27-2005, 12:47 PM

We just got back from Gymboree class. DD LOVED it...well except tummy time in front of the mirror. She loved listening to the music and she fell asleep towards the end of the class! ;)

QOTD: I plan on staying home until our 2nd child goes to school (hopefully we will have one more) But we dont plan on TTC for awhile, maybe not until DD is 4 years old? So I will be a SAHM for a while. :eek:

Abby'sMom

09-27-2005, 12:56 PM

Me too; my DD is Abby, born 11/3/04. (There are a LOT of us concentrated in the 11/3-4/04 date range!)

We kinda just roll with the punches, though we have a few weekly activities:
- Monday AM I have a Bible study and Abby stays in the nursery
- Tuesday AM our play group meets (usually)
- Friday AM we have running/walking club meeting at a local park

Otherwise, the schedule varies from one week to the next.

And I agree with vjel - SAHM'ing isn't easy and isn't fun all the time, but it's worth it! :)

Pookie

09-27-2005, 01:05 PM

QOFTD Right now I take a class or two at a time. In a couple of months, I might start working a day or two a week. Next summer, I'll apply to grad school for the following year. If I don't get in,(I should find out winter/spring), then we'll start TTC#2 and I'll apply the following year. I kind of feel guilty that Ryan might be the only one who gets a SAHM, but DH gets 2 or 3 days off during the week, so Ryan and any future kiddos will never be in full-time daycare. After I finish school, I only plan on working PT until all kids (we want 2 or 3) are in junior high, maybe high school.

summerbaby

09-27-2005, 01:29 PM

I'd like to join too!

I'm a SAHM to Ellie who is 3 months. We have Gymboree class on Wednesdays but that's about it. Other days we run errands or go to the mall. I'm looking for other fun things to do with my daughter. It seems like a hassle to get out with her because right now she hates the car and won't tolerate anything but the bjorn while moving.

I'll probably stay home for a while too. We're going for #2 in a few years and I'd like to wait til both kids are in school. I'm also looking for a career change so I need to figure out what I want to do first.

flyerwife

09-27-2005, 01:52 PM

I'm interestd too. My son is 3, will be 4 in November and we are expecting a second in May.

We keep pretty busy now. He is in preschool 2 days a week and then in a gym & swim class 2 days a week and then get together with some of his friends once or twice a week.

I was never able to find a mom's group in the area. I lucked into a group or moms and kids my sons age at the local rec. center and their children's classes. Another place to try would be a local YMCA, ours offers great kids programs and even in the nursery you might find other parents dropping off/picking up their children that you could get together with.

Astara

09-27-2005, 01:53 PM

Ok, I think I will start a new SAHM thread.. as MrsTzlvr said the only thing that really needs to be done is to put a masters list of everyones stats up and change the name. I'll let you guys know when it's ready! :)

HGMorgann

09-27-2005, 03:49 PM

I am a SAHM to my daughter, Morgann -7 months. I love it - but it is much harder than working, IMO! I have to wonder what I did with all my time before Morgann. I worked at home while she was 4 weeks to 3 months and that was incredibly hard because she has never been much of a napper. I know my sales reps loved me talking to them over a speaker phone with a crying baby in the background and I tried to give them sales reports and such! I would like to do it again maybe when she is older though.

kimthebride

09-27-2005, 04:02 PM

Question for all of you--how have you been filling your days?
Mondays - Baby Music Class
Tuesdays & Wednesdays - Meet with fellow SAHMs or a local friend (I met at the different groups) for lunch, shopping, or I just go see a matinee or run errands.
Thursdays - Baby Yoga, then out to lunch with a couple girls from class
Fridays - Play group with about 20 or so other local moms

All our activities start around 11am or so, so he's gotten into the habit of having an activity until after noon then napping from 12-4pm. I am making new friends, so there are a lot of lunch invites & coffee dates.