As a stay at home mom with two children, I find myself facing boredom most
days. It’s not that I don’t have enough to do, it’s that life seems to get
mundane quickly when you’re always running after kids and trying to find
things to keep them busy and away from the television. If you’re like me you
don’t need a lifestyle change, you just need help getting out of the rut you’re
stuck head down in – here are some great ideas to get you started that will
help break up the boredom blues.
Get Moving
Not only will the outdoors be good for baby, but the exercise will do your
body good as well. Even if it’s only a stroll outside to grab the mail, take a
little extra time to smell the flowers or watch some friendly birds or squirrels.
A brisk walk will not only increase your endorphin levels (also known as the
“happy hormones”), and provide you a boost of Vitamin D, but also can
decrease cravings for sugary and starchy foods. So you can lift your spirits
while losing any extra baby weight also! A park is a great place to go, and for
some variety, find different parks in your area to visit instead of the same one
all the time. Even if you can’t get out of the house, something as simple as
opening all your blinds can improve your mood and clear your mind for some
creative thinking.
Stay in Touch
Call your Mom, Aunt or Grandma, and fill them in on what you’ve been up to
– or just call to tell them you love them. Another more unconventional way to
keep others up to date and give you an outlet is to create a scrapbook page
to send to that special loved one. Pictures really do say a thousand words and
a page made by you speaks volumes. It’s a wonderful way to keep family up
to date, and they can add the pages you send into their albums. In addition to
the scrapbook page, you can create video diaries, by simply catching
glimpses of your children’s moments throughout the day. Avoid shipping
costs altogether while sharpening your creative skills, and update a web site
with information and pictures. Check out www.babyhomepages.net and
www.babysites.com, both are free and easy sites to get started with. If the
idea is appealing but you simply don’t have the time or desire to create a full
page, you can also go to www.ofoto.com and in a few extremely easy steps
upload pictures off your digital camera to their site. Once you email the links
to loved ones they can order prints and other picture products right from
Ofoto – easy and quick for both of you!
Organizing and Cleaning
A clean house is a mood booster as well. Even if you hate cleaning, there’s a
good chance that you love a nice clean home. Depending on the age of your
kids you can involve them with cleaning and organizing too.
From the two
month old who enjoys being tickled with the feather duster, to the two year
old who can help wipe doorknob handles and baseboards, everyone can have
a part in cleaning while learning the value of good old-fashioned work and
chores. Sell used items online at the ever-famous Ebay or other sites such as
www.craigslist.com - where you can post and sell for free. Try making a list
of areas you want organized and post it on your refrigerator to motivate you,
checking off areas you’ve finished as you go. Don’t forget to include little
things, such as hanging hooks on the wall for your keys or coats. Maybe
cleaning out that hall closet seems daunting at the moment, try tackling the
kitchen junk drawer first, you never know, you may just get on a roll!
Find Your Rhythm
Everyone knows the benefits of music are endless; so don’t forget to include
it when trying to beat those boredom blues. The great thing about music is
that no matter what age your children are, everyone can get involved. You can
go acapella or karaoke and sing out loud to your baby for some sure smiles
from her. Don’t forget dancing, turn on the music videos and try to learn
some new dance moves. Older children can help make musical instruments
out of boxes or film canisters filled with beads or popcorn kernels and dance
along with you. Younger children and babies can be held in your arms and
feel the rhythm while you dance with them.
Relax
From time to time don’t feel guilty nabbing a babysitter and running off to
the nearest coffee shop for time spent all alone. Bring a novel, a pad of paper
and a pen, or just sit and stare out the window. Being a stay at home mom is
hard work and you deserve little perks here and there. Keep your chin up – a
bright outlook paired with a great attitude will overcome those boredom
blues in no time. And in that same no time you’ll find that they really do grow
up to quick. When you get the courage up to glance back, you may find
yourself longing for the days you could both cry and laugh at the insanity of
motherhood.