SAHM Filling my day?

crockpot · 14 May 2009 at 10:25AM

I used to be a SAHM before my boys started school but then returned to work.

I now find myself a SAHM again aka unemployed and am finding it hard to fill my day.

I try to be old style but find that there is only so much cooking/cleaning I can do in a day.Plus looking for a job!

I spend too much time on the boards and the weather is bad today and feeling a bit down.

Thinking of getting a Walley trolly so I can walk to the local supermarket, save petrol and use more time.

I enjoy gardening but am not the crafty type.

Going to buy a traybake tin and do more baking!

What do you do all day?

I clean because I have too, do not like it!

Might feel better when the sun shines?

OrkneyStar · 14 May 2009 at 10:38AM

Here are some ideas:-
I know you said you are not the crafty type but the first two are so easy and you never know you might enjoy it!
Take up knitting, knit scarves etc as Christmas presents.
Card making- make HM cards for birthdays etc- you can buy kits.
Offer to walk people's dogs (in exchange for something if you like).
Volunteer (befriending, CAB, local Red Cross Shop etc).
Grow your own veggies etc.
Ask if they need any help at sons school (playground monitor ?)
Library/local museums
Write some letters to family/friends- or a newsletter if you are feeling more inspired.
Clean out your wardrobe and organise a clothes swap party (with any friends at a loose end day time too, or for a weekend).
See if there are any classes on at local college/community centre.
Ok, just some thoughts.....if you were near me I might suggest you come to my house and clean and entertain my toddler lol!

Bella79 · 14 May 2009 at 11:02AM

im a sahm to a 2 yr old little girl i get up

make breakfasts
clean round
make beds
get us waashed and dressed
make any phone calls etc maybe iron

this usally takes us to lunch time
prepeare lunch
do pots from lunch

then we go out usally to family/friends/playgroup/wackywarehouse type of
thing (sometimes i do the weekly shop)

come home around 4pm
start tea
whilst tea is cooking i may play a game with lo or do jigsaw something quick
tea is 5.30

after tea we play with lo do pots etc

bath her at around 6.30 then spend and hour reading to hear giving he milk and yog forbed

bed at 7.30

i always try and get the house sorted in the morings of chores so i have the afternoons free to do what ever we feel like

mumoftwo · 14 May 2009 at 11:15AM

I am with you, I hate housework, so get it over quick, see flylady thread on here, only do a set thing every day, in a week your whole house gets cleaned.

When I feel down being in the house too long, I go to library, get some nice books, I love cookery books and craft books.

I am not a good gardener but I am making an effort this year, and even growing tatties in an old bin for the first time.

You can learn a new craft that isn't expensive to start.

Meal plan so you can save money and time when doing your shopping.

Mine are at school, teenagers, but if you have kids at home you can play with them.

Enjoy the time you have off, you hopefully will soon have a job again and then wished you were off back home doing the things you like.

Magentasue · 14 May 2009 at 11:18AM

I know what you mean. When I had babies and toddlers, I was more than happy to be at home with them. Now I teach part-time and have the school holidays at home and it's ideal. Full time teaching's a killer but when I was unemployed for a term, I realised how empty life would be home all day. If I was unemployed long term, I think I'd have to have a baby!

As mum of two says, enjoy the time off - you could be back at work this time next month.

Pink. · 14 May 2009 at 11:24AM

Hi crockpot,

I don't enjoy housework and cleaning either but I do it because it makes life easier for us all if the place is clean, tidy and organised.

I try to get the 'chores' over in the morning so I can use the rest of the (school) day for things that I enjoy; cooking/baking, gardening, getting out and seeing friends, reading, shopping without children, even going for a walk and of course spending time on MSE. The afternoons are taken up with spending time with the children, supervising homeworks and preparing the evening meal before I go out to work.

I'm sorry to hear that you are unemployed at the moment and feeling a bit down, but maybe you could use this time to try to do some decluttering and bulk cooking that will help you when you go back to work.

This thread will show you how others pass their day:

What's your daily routine ...

Pink

Bitsy_Beans · 14 May 2009 at 2:06PM

I find with my DS 3 1/2 and DD 10 months my day is pretty busy. DS goes to pre school 3 mornings a week so once he's out of the way its a question of juggling naps and bottles before picking him up at midday. My mum who I am very close to lives a short walk away so at the moment I spend a lot of time with her. Am a childminder but no kids on the books at the moment so can't afford to go spending money etc. Am growing my own veg so when weather is nice we spend a lot of time in the garden. I go to the library and borrow cook books to peruse for more ideas for my meal planning (and the more frugal the better!!!).
I am sure with the weather being bad it's easy to feel trapped in the house. Do you have any local friends that work part time or are SAHM? Any family nearby? I suppose if you really wanted to do something useful perhaps offer some of your spare time to a local charity or something.

Jack's_mummy · 14 May 2009 at 2:47PM

Are your children at school/preschool? What about volunteering for a couple of hours a week? www.do-it.org.uk might have something in your area. Even if it's just whilst you look for another paid job. I am a sahm but volunteer 4 hours a week in the chairty shop. It's conversation for me whilst DS is at school and helps a good cause. We have a couple of ladies helping at the moment whilst they look for jobs after being made redundant.

maltesers_2 · 14 May 2009 at 4:27PM

How about joining in with a local health walk. There are hundreds all over the country see http://www.whi.org.uk/

It is a way of meeting people, getting to know the area and getting fit - all for free. It will also encourage you to go out even if it is bad weather because others will be there.

zippychick · 14 May 2009 at 7:04PM

Set yourself an ebay challenge? Trying to find things to ebay each Thursday for example.

Try cooking something new? Jam/preserves/ whatever it may be

Take up a new exercise? Walking, power walking, Look for a pram walking group in your area (or set one up), yoga, meditating etc

Go charity shop hunting with a £1 and try to find the best £1 purchase?

Some excellent other ideas here too.

Rearrange one of your rooms? I find rearranging a room is so invogirating yet hard work. And cheaper than buying new furniture

Love the results too

Start a blog once a week? Maybe on your quest for things to keep you busy as a SAHM

Pamper yourself once a week? Bath/manicure/facial/pedicure/foot spa/ overall body scrub and moisturise?

Read a few chapters of that book you have always meant to read

I had a friend who spent all day at home with "nothing" to do. So i made her two boxes. One of chores and one of treats. She used to pick one chore out a day and two treats - and if she didn;t like them, she could put it back in and pick another. Thing is if you write them, you are in charge

Learn or try a new free skill? Customising clothes/ drawing/ sewing/knitting etc. You may end up revamping your whole wardrobe at no extra cost. You can even use old clothes for material to customise clothes with. Or customise that bookcase/table/something that was headed for the bin.

Sorry about your job and down day. (((((hugs))))

coraline_2 · 14 May 2009 at 9:11PM

I'm new to old style and am a student rather than a SAHM, but definitely have time on my hands! I always find exercise DVDs, or swimming or particularly aerobics to be great time-fillers and always make you feel good about yourself (and generally take a while to recover from too!) :j

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SAHM Filling my day?

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