SAHM Is Loosing My Mind in This House!

I rely on the local bus or have hubby drop me off somewhere. I get out of the house about 2 of the week solo for errands. Then hubby is off of work on Fridays, so that only leaves 2 days at home to fill. Some weeks are harder than others.

I usually have access to the van but even so...I usually don't use it. We walk (the closest park is 1 mile away). We bike (to the library & downtown restaurants which is 2.5 miles away)--we have a double bike trailer. It's a GREAT way to get out of the house because it uses up so much time!!! If we leave right after breakfast, they usually are ready for their nap when we get home!! :) It's also free exercise!

Hello SAHM:

Being a good SAHM is the hardest most challenging job on earth. A few options are.
Enforce quiet time with the children as I don't know their ages. If a baby is sleeping, have toddler read(open and look at books) starting with ten minutes and increasing the time to 30-45 minutes where you can open a book of traveling and take your mind to a different place. it will work. It will also give them concrete skills of quiet time and reading. Then you can share your ventures at the end of the time.

Get a friend to come over for maybe two hurs to relieve you while you take a walk or take a portable chair and sit far away so you don't hear the children.

Take up yoga.

Call a local church for support. Many have Mommy days.

Take your husband to work where a friend can watch children and go to the park for a day.

Depending on where you live start with the salvation army helpline and or the health centers. There should be Mommy support areas somewhere nearby. If not start one. Make signs and post in the places you go and start a support group.

Hope this helps. Of course, only if you use it.

Such good answers here, especially P.S. from Houston. Had to send a flower to her! There are also some great ideas online in various webites concerning fun activities, many with recyclables, to pick and choose from as well. The only thing that worries me when I don't have a vehicle available (when I've been at home or am now at home with my now-nearly 7-yr-old grandson), is what I'd do in case of emergency, as we live so far out in a rural area. Back to keeping your sanity now: I don't really push this idea as a daily activity, but watching a fun video together, of perhaps 20-30 minutes duration, can give you some needed "down-time" where all that's required of you is maybe some giggles and hugs. Even adults can enjoy that much! These years will seem gone before you know it, so really do what you can to be as healthy as possible, so you can really enjoy this special time of life. Oh, and tell your husband that if he can muster-up about 15 minutes of dedicated time just for the kids when he first gets home from work, they might get their needs met for daddy-time and leave him alone awhile. He's worked hard for the family, so if you can, show him your appreciation by your actions to keep the kids busy with fairly quiet activities in those first couple of hours when he gets home. And tell him of the good stuff they've done and skip the stuff that you found challenging that day. Share those with a pen and paper or someone who welcomes your venting and can encourage you to keep your sanity. Just be happy in each moment you are given.

PS and Nadia B have wonderful ideas.

I was going to make suggestions, but they have said it all.

Especially the part where they suggest you take your husband to work so you can have the car. Sure you can waste gas, but its worth it for you. That opens the opportunity for play dates for you (Yes, you!!!) and the kids.

Good luck to you and yours.

I did 7 years without a car when I was young and then I bought an old beater. Why can't you drive anymore?

You can walk. You could take a cab once and awhile.

Check out the book Radical Homemakers. It may give you some insight on the potential value of your job as a SAHM.

Regarding being stuck at home: do you have mass transit in your area? How about biking? Walking?

Could you drive your husband to work 2 or 3 days a week? That way you would at least have a car for a few days to get out. I'm a SAHM and I would definitely go crazy without a car. We live too far from anything to walk or ride bikes - too dangerous on main roads. Is there public transportation close to home that your husband could drop you off at a stop on his way into work? Then you could maybe hit the libraries or public pools. Do you have a nice neighbor you could do things with? I feel for you! Being a SAHM is so isolating. Try to meet other SAHM to schedule play dates and mom time! Good luck.

I see from your other posts, you have a young girl and a 1 yr old baby. Its sometimes hard to spend all day everyday with them home, but you can take a stroller and go for walks, and find interesting things to collect outside. Bring things home and have your oldest make a cute garden scene from them. Maybe start your own school time and do flash cards, and lessons to help her learn more and be ready for her next year of school. it will eat up time, and be helpful. Is there a city bus system near you so it can take you to the mall, or a park that might be too far to walk to? What is it that YOU would want to do if you could get out and go anywhere? If you really think its more that you want to be at your job working instead, maybe you can search for cheaper daycare, or a friend who will watch your kids for less than you were paying before. Not every M. is suited to stay home all day with the kids. Some really do better with jobs outside the home. Maybe youre one of them.