Being a full time is no easy feat, and it doesn’t come with a guidebook!
It has taken a great effort to pivot from working towards a career to a SAHM. I’ve had to adjust to a new sense of accomplishment. I no longer provide for my family financially in the same way, and sometimes that does weigh on me. My focus and daily routines/goals has had to shift entirely. So, while we may change our location in the future I’d like to share the things that make me feel fulfilled and (I believe) provide the most beneficial impact on our family.
The two things that helped me feel empowered and capable as a full time, stay at home mom are Baby-wearing and Nutrition. In tandem these are the tools that allow me to provide for my family.
While my husband and I have ALWAYS been interested in heathy eating, I greatly underestimated how overwhelming becoming a parent would be. After having Valerie I quickly found I needed more help than I had available. I’ve always wanted a garden and wanted to bake my own bread, but there just seemed to be no way I could those on with a newborn infant in the house. I had a hard enough time keeping up with diapers, feedings and laundry! I found a baby wearing group and instantly felt called to learn more.
Wearing my little one helped me regain my sense of independence and confidence in what I could accomplish on my own.
One way baby wearing benefits me on the daily is allowing me to more time in the kitchen (hands free). We’ve jumped into cooking with and baking sourdough this year. And while renting adds a layer of complication to what my dream garden would look like, I LOVE getting to plan out our meal plan each week and make as many things from scratch (and with goods from our home garden) as much as possible. My goal is to grow a majority of the fruits and vegetables we eat.
For now, I’ve decided to try and share my love for home cooking and have started this food cottage! (Interested in trying some of our goods? You can check out our offerings here!)
Baby wearing might not be for everyone, but it is a practice that has changed and shaped my day to day. As a full time stay at home mom, baby-wearing makes the impossible possible. I am so thankful for the group of baby wearing mama’s that made me feel welcome and supported me. It drove me to want to figure out how I might be able to help/inspire other moms. I became a babywearing consultant through the Center for Babywearing Studies in January 2024 and LOVE getting to share my love of babywearing with others.
Want to know more about baby wearing? Click here!
