Stay at Home Mom - Keeping a Sense of You

It's entirely too easy to lose yourself in motherhood when you're a stay at home mom. You've entered into a whole new world full of diapers, bottles, tiny clothes and new responsibilities. The first few months of baby's life are very demanding as you both adjust to this new world together. But before you morph into super mom trying to take on every challenge yourself and forget about tending to you… stop, breathe and remember yourself!

What hobbies do you enjoy? What friends would you like to spend more time with? What new activities have you thought about trying? Who has offered to help in watching the baby so you can have some alone time? These are all very important questions to answer. I know it may seem impossible to nurture a hobby with a newborn, but it's not as difficult as it may seem.

For instance, if photography is your passion now is the time to show off your skills. Make a record of your baby's growth by taking pictures and noting the dates on each of them. These pictures will make memorable scrap books that can be put together in later years if time is not available now. There are also many different types of collage frames available to show your little one's growth in one fantastic display. How about video? Sending clips to relatives that live a great distance away is a great way to stay in touch and show off your baby's new moves and sounds.

Baby books can take on a whole new meaning if writing is your niche. Instead of using a preset book that simply requires you to fill in the blanks, opt for a blank journal that strikes your fancy. Each day find a few minutes to jot down what baby has done today or how baby was feeling today. It could be an entire page or it could be a sentence, either way it will compile to be a great work of art for you and your child to enjoy upon its completion.

Why stop at a baby book? Keeping a personal journal is great therapy in keeping your life in perspective. Finding just a few minutes a day to write down your thoughts and feelings that may not be so easy to talk to someone else about can take a heavy weight off of your shoulders and release inner tension. Personal journaling may become an invaluable outlet for feelings of being overwhelmed or full of anxiety. It's also a great tool to be able to look back on and see how you've changed over time. Trying to lose those extra baby pounds? Track your activity and weight for added incentive to stick to healthier living.

Are you the type that likes to get your fingers dirty in a flower bed? Don't put off gardening simply because you've got a little one in tow, let them help. Toddlers love to get their hands dirty and find worms and bugs in the ground. Have patience with them when they pull blooms off of your plants, it's a compliment to how beautiful the flowers are! If your child is too young to get its hands dirty, bring out the playpen and set it up next to your garden. There are screens you can purchase that will surround the playpen keeping any bugs away from your baby while you are busy. The fresh air will do wonders for the both of you.

It's all about using your time wisely. Don't lose sight of your passions or trade them in for household chores. Work the time into your schedule and as your day becomes more predictable you'll be able to spend even more time on your hobbies. The important thing here is to keep your spirit lifted by nurturing hobbies.

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Keeping Active with a New Baby

Being in constant care of a new baby could mean spending lots of time on the couch to cuddle, feed or entertain. Although this may be just what the doctor ordered after childbirth, when doc says it's OK to get moving take the advice and get active! It is the simplest way to boost your spirits and get more energy to keep up with a growing baby.

There are several ways to keep moving without having to venture out of your home. The most common form of new mommy exercise would be the "walk and cuddle." Simply hold your baby close and walk around the house stopping at all points of interest and describing them to your baby. Colorful magnets on the refrigerator are always a hit along with taking a peek out of a window to watch birds at a feeder or snow falling. Always be careful not to let your baby touch anything that may be a health hazard such as a small object that could be swallowed.

Don't limit your time up on your feet to just walking. Put on some soothing music and dance with your baby. Your baby will love the graceful fluid motion of the dance and the cuddle time with you. Add to that your singing, no matter how fabulous your voice and you've got yourself a workout that will be truly enjoyed by both you and baby.

Newborn babies spend most of their day sleeping and if you've got the energy this is a great time to catch up on all of those fitness DVD's you've got stowed away, maybe some of them still in the plastic. Start small and never exceed doctor's recommendations. Even a 10 minute low impact workout can be enough to boost your spirits and give you that second or third wind for the day.

Walking is great exercise, whether done indoors holding baby or out with baby in a stroller. Taking baby for a walk outside in a stroller has more than just the workout benefit. Sometimes this is just the miracle you could be looking for to get an overtired bundle of joy to sleep while you get to enjoy a refreshing walk, a change of scenery and some quiet time. It is a wonderful way to break up the day and to meet your neighbors, not to mention that making this a part of your daily routine will get you well on your way to fitting back into your "before pregnancy" wardrobe!

Playtime with your baby is spent mostly on the floor. Maximize this time by doing a few simple floor exercises during play. A quick abdominal workout can be accomplished simply by lying on the floor next to baby and doing sets of crunches while reciting baby's favorite nursery rhymes. Mix it up with your favorite moves from fitness DVD's and magazines and you may be surprised at how quickly a total floor routine can be accomplished all while entertaining your baby.

As with all exercise programs it is recommended to talk with your doctor before starting. Staying active is essential for healthy living and improves your mental outlook and stamina for keeping up with a growing baby. It will also show a great example for your child to follow and aid in lowering the risk of being overweight.

Get creative and find new ways to stay active with your child as they grow and develop. This will not only keep the two of you healthy and fit, but will also strengthen the bond between mother and child that will last a lifetime.

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Keeping the Spark in Your Relationship

The journey into parenthood brings along with it new responsibilities and focus for both parents. Everything in the home seems to revolve around the new baby, from money matters to laundry duty. It's so easy to lose sight of the original relationship between mom and dad.

As a stay at home mom I took on all household chores while my husband went off to work each day so that we could afford to live our lifestyle. Every ounce of energy we had revolved around our new baby and by day's end we didn't have much left to tend to "us." It's a sacrifice most of us make for the sake of a new baby and is completely justifiable; however I was always on the lookout for ways that I could put some spark back in our relationship to keep the fires burning.

The most important thing to remember is that he was in your life first and if you're madly in love with each other, he will still be in your life long after your baby is grown and starting a life of his/her own. Make him feel special every day. The following are some great ideas that can be fit into the schedule of a new mom.

Serve a candle lit dinner for two. Being a mom myself I know that creating a magical dinner for two isn't always possible between baby feedings, laundry and washing dishes. However, there are always those days, however few and far between, when the Universe seems to align in your favor and there is time to prepare a meal that he will truly appreciate. Whatever he enjoys the most, surprise him by serving it up with the lights dimmed and candles lit. Let's face it; candles can even bring a romantic glow to hot dogs and potato chips!

Wear something special. When it's that time of night for the two of you to retire to bed, surprise him by wearing what he likes best. It may be nothing at all! Whatever it is, it may be just enough to spark up a second wind and get those fires burning.

Walk by kissing. How many times a day do you walk by your man and not make any action to notice he's there? Sending him an unexpected kiss, smile, hug or grab keeps him thinking of you and you thinking of him and is sure to keep both of you smiling through the day.

Indulge his sweet tooth. The next time you find yourself at the grocery store, pick up the ingredients to his favorite dessert to have on hand in the house. That way when the time is available you can whip up his favorite sweet and surprise him with indulgence.

Send love letters. If he's on his computer all day, send him an email. If he's on the road all day, write a short love note and pack it in his lunch cooler for him to find while he's at work.

These are all things that I've been able to do without getting a sitter and going out of my daily routine with the baby. They are simple yet so very underestimated. If a baby sitter is available to you, take advantage! Having time together as a couple outside of the home is one of the best ways to keep the two of you in touch with yourselves as a couple. Schedule a night out for dinner, a movie or surprise him with tickets to an event that he would love to attend.

Letting him know that you are still madly in love with him shouldn't take much work. Do what he likes and mix in new ideas for added spark. The goal is to let him know that you are thinking about him all the time and that you are truly madly in love with him.

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The Journaling Mom

Writing down your feelings on a regular basis is a great way to relieve tension and anxiety. Sometimes it's almost as if the thoughts transfer themselves from mind to paper so that the mind may rest. Journaling for your baby is also a very intimate way to keep a baby book. The words are from your heart instead of a fill in the blank record. Whether you choose one over the other or go for them both, journaling is a great release of creative energy that may be read and remembered years from now.

If you're a new mom or even a well established mom, and the time is right for you to begin losing those dreaded baby pounds, then journaling may be just the ticket you need for success. Keeping a daily record of what and when you're eating has been proven to help individuals shed extra weight. The double chocolate fudge cake doesn't sound so inviting when it has to be written down in a journal. The quantity of food also seems to lessen when it needs to be written down. Serving sizes tend to be used more accurately this way. But the journaling doesn't need to stop there.

Keeping a measurement and body weight log are also very helpful when combined with recording your workout routine. It allows you to analyze your results alongside your workout and make the appropriate changes for the desired outcome. For instance, if you're losing body fat but not toning muscle as much as you'd like, referring to past workouts recorded in your journal may hold clues that too much emphasis has been put on cardio and not enough on weight training. On the other hand if your weight loss doesn't seem significant but your measurements have lessened, look to add more cardio in your workout. Muscle weighs more than fat and by tracking your measurements you have record of firming your body even though the number on the scale may not reflect such amazing results.

Weight loss is not the only endeavour that you can benefit from with journaling. Emotional healing seems to progress more significantly when you have a creative outlet or release. Being a mom is not easy. Everyone knows this but for a new mom the idea may not be realized. It's so easy to get caught up in trying to accomplish everything while constantly comparing yourself to everyone around you. Taking some time each day to write down how you're feeling may seem too simple to solve anything but being able to look back and read past thoughts and feelings and compare them to how you're feeling now is priceless. You will be able to witness your own emotional evolution as you take on your new role as mom and be proud of what you've accomplished through the ups and downs.

Keeping a journal for your baby is the most intimate record of the beginning of life. It is in your own words a description of baby's growth and development along with great stories of new discoveries and adventures. There will be days when you can almost see the light bulb go on in baby's mind as they really learn a new thing. These are the great entries that no fill in the blank baby book has the option of adding, but it is invited in a blank journal to log every light bulb event with complete accuracy to be reread and enjoyed years from now by you both. With every new tooth to the potty training adventure you will be adding to your baby's book of life. Enjoy it and keep the pen moving, it will be the most valuable book you'll ever have the pleasure of reading when your baby becomes an adult.

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Choosing the Right Colors for Babies and Kids Rooms

Decorating a baby's room is a thrilling adventure full of possibilities of endless color combinations, but before you dive into the latest trends, consider the energy given off by each color chosen to be in the room. Ever wonder why you can walk into one room and get such a soothing feel from the space yet no matter how the furniture is moved around in another room the feel just isn't there? Color may be the answer. Each color holds a specific vibration or energy that adds to the mood of the room.

When decorating a baby's room think beyond the typical blues and pinks and gender roles and go with the feel and energy. For instance, blues may be beneficial to girls as well as boys in providing a tranquil presence in the room. Shades of blue are very calming and great colors to fall asleep in. Working with softer shades of blue and combining them with pinks produce a very serene space for a baby girl that will have a feminine flare.

Color combinations to take into consideration if encouraging sleep is the goal should include blues and grays. Blue carries with it a very tranquil energy while gray works well to neutralize any negativity. The result is a calming space that tends to make you forget negative thoughts as you enter the room. For a feminine touch try combining softer blues with touches of pink. Pink holds a very feminine and loving energy that will add a friendly feel to the room. If you're totally against having blue in a girl's room, a combination of gray and pink will also work well. If it's a boy you're decorating for, gray walls with blue accents is neutral enough to withstand the years to come but will also achieve the soothing and comfortable feel of the room for a newborn baby.

Toddlers and preschoolers would benefit more from colors that spark their intellect combined with colors that soothe and comfort. A great combination to try is yellow and green. For boys, you might want to go with the primary versions of these colors using yellow for the walls and green for the curtains, bedding and accessories such as book shelves and area rugs. In a girl's room, try neutral beige walls with Earthy tones of yellow and green in the window treatments and bedding. Green will provide a level of comfort with its healing energy while yellow ignites the intellect and aids in concentration in areas of study and learning. Toddlers and preschoolers are at the age where they are absorbing all information around them. Reading, playing and learning while surrounded by yellow may help your child retain the information presented to them.

As children get older, they may wish to show their independence by choosing the colors of their room. Colors to keep out of a space used for sleep, no matter how much they may beg, are red and orange. These colors carry with them such a stimulating energy that if sleep was accomplished in this room, it would not be a deep sleep. Red is a very passionate color, and even in the parent's room is not recommended due to its high energy level. Orange carries with it one type of energy, stimulating. In a room with a high activity level such as the kitchen, this would be perfect, not in the bedroom. Black however is where you may want to bend a bit and give in. Black is an absorbing color and tends to suck out negativity leaving you feeling free of the stresses from the day. Black sheets under colored blankets or a comforter may be just the key to a deep night's sleep without using the color as the primary focus of the room.

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How to Soothe a Crying Baby

Every parent has been there. Wondering what went horribly wrong when a once sleeping beauty turns into a screaming force to be reckoned with is enough to rattle the nerves of even the most experienced care giver. My mother used to say, "Birds fly and babies cry." She wasn't kidding. Understanding the normalcy of a crying baby is the first step to soothing the baby.

Babies cry. It is the only form of communication they have mastered at an infant stage of life. The first step in calming the baby is to be a calm parent. An infant cries to get our attention so that we can fulfill a need, whatever it may be at that particular time. If the parent is frantic those feelings will be felt by the baby and probably cause more crying. A relaxed and collected parent will most likely be able to recognize the baby's need and calm the baby quicker.

There is a process of elimination that may be used in recognizing the source of the baby's distress. The usual suspects are as follows: soiled diaper, hunger and the need to simply be held. Babies often swallow air while crying so holding the infant while rubbing its back gently may loosen a trapped air pocket and bring the baby instant comfort while also giving the baby some snuggle time. If by chance the little one should drift off to sleep while being held, congratulations and problem solved.

If not, check for a soiled diaper. The baby should be relatively calm by now but may not like the fact that its diaper is being changed. This is the time to speak very softly and even sing whatever song comes to mind in a very soft and gentle tone. Speaking softly to the baby and singing are great ways to create a distraction from whatever is bothering the infant and keep the parent relaxed at the same time. It is so important for the parent to maintain a relaxed demeanor during this time. Babies feed off of their care givers feelings. A relaxed parent equals a relaxed baby as well as a frustrated and frantic parent will result in an unsettled and upset baby.

While changing the diaper, watch for signs that the infant may be hungry. Possible signs of hunger are opening and closing the mouth and sucking on lips, tongue and fingers. By this time even if the infant wasn't hungry when the crying started, it may very well be ready for a feeding now. After feeding the baby another diaper check may be in order before putting the infant back down to sleep. Better to check than not to.

There are still the times that an infant just wants to be in the arms of its parent. This too can be a tricky task. To swaddle or not to swaddle depends completely on the individual baby. Some babies prefer being held in a rocking chair to be lulled to sleep and some need the parent to be standing and walking around. Very few will be satisfied with a stationary parent. The movement itself is comforting. Now, if lullaby lyrics are long forgotten, time to brush up on the family favorites. The baby may also respond more to one song than another. Repeating the infant's favorites is a great way to establish a sense of calm between the parent and the infant.

Please note that if at any time a medical issue is thought to be the source of the baby's crying, a call to the pediatrician is in order.

With that said, enjoy the new arrival. The baby's first days and weeks may seem overwhelming, but they do pass quickly. Being calm and collected through the frustrating times will allow for more of the gentle and loving moments between baby and parent.

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When Mom is Sick

As if taking care of an infant with a cold wasn't tricky enough, finding a way to bring yourself back to health while tending to a little one may seem impossible. There are a few ways to sneak in some relaxing moments though, provided you've got the essentials. Before the cold season hits, take stock in your cold rescue items. Make sure you've got products that include cough drops, tea, honey, lemons, tissues, hand sanitizer and a few pair of comfy pajamas or lounge clothes.

When you feel a cold coming on, take great care to keep your germs to yourself. It's much easier to get through the illness when baby is sleeping soundly at night and for naps. One way to stop the cold sharing is to always wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or simply using a tissue. Sometimes it is difficult to just get up and run off into another room to wash, who knows what trouble the baby would get into while you're gone! Keeping small bottles of hand sanitizer next to tissue boxes in strategic places throughout the house will help. This way, after each tissue use you can easily sanitize your hands.

Drink lots of fluids. Drinking fluids will aid in loosening congestion which will help you heal faster. Hot tea is a great way to soothe the soul while getting sufficient hydration. Safety first! Never drink a hot beverage around an infant. Spills happen to the best of us and a hot beverage could cause a burn injury to the baby. This would be a great opportunity to utilize baby's swing, jumper or exerciser. While baby is playing, sit back and enjoy a hot cup of tea. When preparing your tea, add a squeeze of lemon juice for added vitamin C and a bonus, lemon soothes a sore throat. Honey also soothes and is a great sweetener. Let's not forget plain water, it's a natural decongestant. Add a squeeze of lemon into your water for added vitamin C as well.

Try to keep your days on the quiet side until your energy is back up again. If you're lucky, your baby will enjoy cuddling and snuggling with you. Grab a dozen or so of your baby's favorite books, cough drops, tissues and hand sanitizer for you, and snuggle together under a blanket for story time. Your baby will love the one on one attention and your body will be able to rest a bit. If reading becomes too difficult, settle down for an educational DVD or simply turn the pages of a picture book and let baby "read" to you. This is a great way to see how baby copies gestures or points out certain objects in a picture that she is familiar with from being read the story before.

Don't push yourself to accomplish all the normal household chores, unless of course it will boost your spirits. Decide which path will set you at ease and choose that path. There is no "Gold Medal Fairy" flying around town handing out shiny awards for the cleanest, most organized home. Now is certainly not the time to push yourself to your limits. There are some moms out there that would just go crazy thinking of all the chores to be done and not be able to rest at the sight of dirty dishes or laundry. For those moms out there, go for it. The idea is to keep your mood light and boost your spirits for a quick and healthy recovery.

With all the luck in the world you'll reach a full recovery quickly and remove all those pesky cold germs from the house before the rest of the family catches them. And if those germs decide to take up residence in your home for a while longer, when they do finally leave it's time to celebrate. You deserve it!

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