Step 1: Sit Down and Do the Math

How Much Is Daycare in Your Area?

It may seem like a no-brainer to be a stay-at-home mom if daycare expenses match the amount of a paycheck. Instead of putting your child in daycare, it might be less expensive to have family, or a friend watch your child. If the cost of daycare is significantly less than your paycheck, is that someone you’d be willing to let go?

Can You Cut Down on Household Expenses?

When you become a stay-at-home mom, you’ll need to cut expenses where you can. Maybe you only need one vehicle. This can eliminate a car insurance bill, a car payment, and gas money. You could start couponing to help cut down on your household expenses. Coupons are both online and in the mail. You could switch up where you get your groceries.

When I became a stay-at-home mom, our grocery budget became a sore topic as the price of groceries kept rising. Since we switched from Walmart to Aldi, we’ve been able to save money.

Is There Going to Be Enough Money Left Over from the Paycheck to Act as a Buffer?

Accidents happen. If we could predict them, they wouldn’t be called accidents. Babies get sick. There’s a slew of things that could go wrong when you are reliant on one paycheck. Would there be enough money to stash away an emergency fund in case your partner loses your only source of income for a month or two? It can happen and it’s scary when it does.

Step 2: Discuss with Your Partner About Being a Stay at Home Mom.

To be a stay-at-home mom, it is going to take effort from both sides. Is your partner supportive of the idea of you staying home? Do they see the value you are bringing? What would they expect from you if you chose to be a stay-at-home mom?

Staying at home with your child can put strain on any relationship. Especially when expectations don’t match reality. Do they expect you to watch your child and clean? Make Dinner? It is important that both parties be honest with each other and lay out expectations.

Step 3: Quit Your Job (After the Baby Comes, That Is)

So, you and your partner agree that staying home with your child is the right step. That’s great!

Work as Long as You Are Able

It is important to build up your bank account before baby gets here. There will be diapers, wipes, hospital bills, and other necessities the baby will need once they are here. All the money you can earn before then will help.

Leave Work on Good Terms

I cannot stress this enough. If things don’t go as planned, you’ll want a backup plan. It’s always a good idea to leave your employer on good terms. That way, if you no longer want to be a stay-at-home mom, at least you know you have connections to get back into the workforce.

Step 4: Budget. Budget. Budget.

Since you’ll be down to one budget, it is important to know where every cent is going.

Write Down All Your Expenses

Take a look at your bank account and write down every expense that you have. You might have forgotten about certain subscriptions or charges you have set to autopay.

Figure Out Where You Can Afford to Trim

Can you cut down on your streaming services? Can your grocery bill be trimmed by switching stores? Look at your expenses and decide what is necessary and what are luxuries.

Set Aside Money for Savings

Once you get your budget in order and have an emergency cushion set aside, start putting money into savings.

Step 5: Ease Into it

Give Yourself the Time and Grace to Mourn

To be a stay-at-home mom, you give up a lot. You can lose your sense of identity. It’s okay to feel like you lost a part of yourself and your independence. It’s going to happen. At first, things might feel great, and you feel like you’re doing everything right.

As time goes on though, things get repetitive and mundane. Just know, you’re doing great mama, and your baby loves you.

Make Time for Yourself

Having an identity outside of being a mom is important.

Set Aside Time

I could tell you to try waking up before the kids, but that doesn’t work in my household. Once I’m awake, my kids are awake. Instead, I opt for staying up after my kids go to sleep. I spend my 2 hours eating foods I don’t want my kids to have, watching crime shows, and crocheting.

Take up a Hobby

Having a hobby means you have something outside of being a mother. Feeling good and less stressed are just a few upsides to hobbies. Hobbies like puzzles, crocheting, knitting, and yoga are good ones to try. Studies show that hobbies are good for your mental health. You’re less likely to experience stress and low moods.

Plan Quiet Time

No matter the age of your kids, you need a break. That’s why it’s essential that you plan “quiet time” for your kids. If your kids are young enough for naps, great. If not, then allow them to be in their room for 30-60 minutes with quiet toys.

Having time to themselves allows them to calm their mind and body. Having constant stimulation can lead to more tantrums, so implementing a quiet time helps children recharge and relax their mind.

While your child is in their room by themselves for an hour or so, you can catch up on cleaning. This is so you don’t feel the need to when they go to bed, allowing you to have alone time at the end of the day.

Step 6: Start a Routine and Master It

Having a great routine improves a child’s behavior. Being able to predict their daily activities allows children to feel more confident and secure. I’ll admit, I didn’t really have a schedule until I sort of “fell into” a routine with my first born. It’s difficult for babies to be put on a schedule, but eventually they will start to wake up around the same time, eat around the same time, and nap around the same time. Following your child’s cues will help you find a schedule that works for you.

Once you have a schedule, stick with it! Postponing or skipping naps can create mayhem for all involved, so it’s often best to schedule activities around your child’s nap schedule.

Step 7: Take in All the Moments

Enjoy this time you have with your littles. They won’t be little for long and will remember the times you were there for them for years to come. To be a stay-at-home mom is to be a chef, a planner, a housekeeper, a chauffeur, the list goes on.

No matter what though, you’re a woman with needs of your own. Take care of yourself first and the rest will follow with ease.