Guest Author - Paula Petrie

Staying home to raise small children, while deeply rewarding, requires sacrifices and isolation. Stay at home mom can suffer mental and emotional exhaustion that can also wear her down physically. This mom needs a plan.

If you feel numb to new ideas, you may be suffering a loss of confidence generated by the demands of your new role. Lack of confidence can cause you to begin feeling that you have nothing to contribute to the outside world. If you live near grandparents who are willing to ensure you get a break, be grateful and accept all offers. A recharged mom is happy and productive.

If you don’t have the benefit of this resource, there are ways to stay connected to the adult world and adult conversation. A good outing for you and your child can be a local playgroup. Some groups are very structured, while others are more relaxed and social for the moms. If this resource is not available to you, make it happen.

Interested mothers can take turns hosting playtime in their homes or possibly a local school or church would be willing to provide weekly space free of charge. A school may also allow the use of library books and blocks or provide space to store a plastic container of provisions. Mothers can take turns directing the weeks crafts and activities or maybe the outing for your group will be more a place to share ideas and relax, or possibly a stretch class.

Regular exercise will tone your body, strengthen your mind, and your coping ability. It is really important to create time for physical activity. Walking with your baby in a wagon or stroller is good exercise. Get a walking group together with at least one other mom. This will help keep you motivated. Round out your physical activity with stretches by the sandbox.

Developing a good circle of friends with like demands gives each of you resources for support, distraction, playmates for your children, and the fringe benefit of experienced hands to exchange free babysitting when running errands.

Another popular way of connecting and sharing ideas and concerns are the mommy blogging sites on the Internet. There are blogging sites for every interest including the Moms Forum or any of the forum sites here at BellaOnline.

Make time to read not only to your child but also to yourself. A great novel or interesting information is a great way to maintain an active mind.

This is also a good time to think ahead to a future when your children are in school. You may want to resume a career. What online courses could you consider taking now to keep current? Distance learning via the internet offers stay-at-home moms, options like never before! You could even decide to pursue a degree. The internet job market is young and growing. This is an area stay-at-home and rural area moms could consider worth keeping an eye on.

Also consider which organizations could you (with your child) volunteer for. Local schools and churches often need a hand. Stepping out and enlarging your life can give you the opportunities to develop new skills, meet new people, and your resume fresh.