11 Bad Habits of a Stay-At-Home Mom

So a few days ago I found this article on Pinterest, "Bad Habits and Other Mistakes Stay-at-Home Moms Make."

The title grabbed me because as a stay-at-home mom I have developed LOTS of bad habits, and so of course, I was looking for some solidarity. 

However, as I read it, I realized that I must not be a normal stay-at-home mom because I don't struggle with any of these things, like worrying about not contributing financially or not find time to do nice things for myself. I'm sure there are lots of stay-at-home moms who do struggle with these things, and in that case, the article above will be a nice big boost to your self-esteem. 

But it did get me to thinking about the things in my life that really do cause me stress and frustration as a stay-at-hom mom, and I discovered that most of them have everything to do with my own bad habits. 

So today I thought I'd share with you some of MY bad habits that have come from or at least been contributed to by the fact that I stay home with my kids. 

1. Always thinking I'll have time to do something later. 

Who has time to wash those dishes now? I can do it later! That's my SAHM motto. Except I rarely have more time later. I really prefer to work when the kids are asleep, but if I put everything off until nap time or bed time, I just don't have time to do it all. Bummer. 

2. Never sitting down because I always have to get back up. 

I am always on my feet. Always. It seems like every time I sit down I just have to get up again two seconds later to get someone a glass of water or stop someone from climbing on the piano. I've found it much more efficient just to stay upright and ready for action. This plan works well except by the end of the day my feet are so sore and tired that standing up to get any house work done (you know the stuff I put off all day) is almost impossible. It's just a no-win situation...

3. Tuning out the chaos because I just don't want to deal with it. 

Being a SAHM I've developed very sensitive selective hearing. I just have to pop a pair of headphones in and I can totally ignore the chaos in the other room. There are times when this is a handy talent, but most of the time I miss important things too, like two toddlers smearing peanut butter all over their room.

4. Starting a project I know I can't finish. 

You know how it is. You head pops off the pillow and you think, "Today is the PERFECT day to organize the closets." Or clean out the shed. Or whatever. It doesn't matter what the project is, it never gets finished. I start out well, but then have to stop and clean the bathroom, make lunch, put the kids down for a nap, prep the kitchen for dinner, get snacks, take the kids outside, make dinner, and clean up from dinner. By the end of the day I don't even care if the closets are organized or not! I just want to go to bed. 

5. Dumping my kids on my husband as soon as he walks in the door. 

I've been with my kids for 7 hours or so by the time my husband gets home everyday. It's understandable that I'm ready for a break. However, abdicating all responsibility and locking myself in my room for hours isn't really the best way to say, "Welcome home, honey!" So...if you are reading this, I'm sorry dear. I'll come out of my room as soon as I finish this blog post.

6. Thinking I run the show because I'm here all day. 

My husband and I firmly believe that the husband is the head of the household. However, since I'm the one who puts in the most face time with the kids, it's easy for me to get a little high minded and assume that I ALWAYS know what's best for them. I often have to stop myself and recognize that my husband is perfectly capable of parenting my kids and even getting some laundry done if necessary. In fact, if I take the time to listen, he often has good insight regarding our kids and the best way to handle a situation.

7. Forgetting to put sunscreen on my kids. 

This one is probably not just a SAHM thing, but because we are home, we tend to be in and out of the house playing in the yard all day long. If I were a completely responsible mom, I would always remember sunscreen, but I'm not, so I don't. It's actually worked better for me to put the kids in long sleeve and make sure we play where there is plenty of shade. Then I don't have to run back inside looking for the sunscreen while my kids make a break for the street. We just love playing in the road! 

8. Not staying home. 

You would think that a SAHM would, you know, stay home, but I LOVE to go places. This is great for me and the kids, except that it can be overdone. Being busy and always in the car doesn't give my kids the true quiet playtime they need, and it doesn't help me get any housework done. Going out a few days a week is great, but I also have to make myself plan to stay home sometimes. 

9. Feeling guilty about not volunteering for everything.

I sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking that because I don't have a job outside the home, I have time to volunteer for other stuff, mostly church stuff. I actually enjoy working with people at church and getting involved, but I have a hard time planning ahead and doing the prep work at home before hand. Having young kids at home is a full-time job, with or without an actual full-time job! I can't be expected to volunteer anymore than other moms, and I shouldn't feel guilty about having to say no.

10. Spending too much time plugged in. 

I've learned that if I'm always trying to do "just one more thing" on my phone or computer, I tend to be more irritable and impatient with my kids. Not to mention I am usually wasting time and making us late for something. It's amazing how much more peaceful our home is when I am paying attention and not constantly distracted. Of course, I love being online (hence the blog!), but knowing when to unplug is important too. It's all about balance. 

11. Not making the bed. 

Why is not making the bed a bad habit? 

1. Because I am more likely to crawl back under the covers and curl up with a good book when I should be working.

2. Because my kids are more likely to crawl back under the covers after me and get crumbs all over my sheets (which GREATLY annoys my husband...). 

And yet, I'm still probably not making the bed again tomorrow...What can I say? Old habits die hard.

Do you have any bad mom habits? Tell me I'm not the only imperfect mother around here!