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With the joy of a new baby also comes a huge life change for mothers. If you were working before the birth of your baby, chances are that situation has changed at least temporarily. Most moms end up either stopping work outside the home for a while or moving to a part-time position at some point in the first few years of their mommy careers. If this is true for you, chances are you experience at least occasional bouts of stuck-in-the-house all day boredom. I personally find that there is always something to do when I am at home with my little ones, but it just happens to not always be what I want to do. After all, how many loads of laundry can one person do in a day? And how many episodes of The Big Comfy Couch can a reasonable person expect to watch without throwing something at the T.V.?
Blessedly, these bouts of boredom can be headed off at the pass with some careful planning and organization. Set yourself up for success by scheduling your days, celebrating your accomplishments, and connecting with others in your situation. Taken together, these three things will provide a boredom buffer for both you and your baby.
One helpful way of approaching the creation of a schedule is to first make a list of all the things you need to do during the week, such as grocery shopping and laundry. Next, make a list of things you want to have time for, such as reading or blogging. Then look at the week as a whole and assign one large task to each day. On Mondays, I pay bills; on Fridays, I go to the grocery store.
Break each day into segments and assign time slots for housework, cooking, and "you" time. Of course, you are always on duty with the baby, but I find it helpful to commit a specific time to playing with her. This way, you don't feel guilty washing dishes instead of playing peek-a-boo because you know that you will spend some quality one-on-one time later. I usually also talk to her while I'm doing those dishes, and I always keep her close, but it's not the same as concentrated playtime.
More than likely, you found that things went better at your job if you were able to complete projects and meet deadlines. The projects have changed and there probably aren't any deadlines, but your life at home can benefit from that same sense of accomplishment. You probably aren't getting things done the way you used to pre-baby, and it may actually be Thursday and you still haven't done the tasks you planned for Monday. Sometimes it is just like that. It helps me to feel that sense of accomplishment that is so important to my self-worth by making a mental list of all the things I have done that day. My baby has been fed three or four times. I have changed between four and six diapers. I have put at least two different outfits on her. I have kept her mostly happy and entertained. I have probably eaten at least a snack or two, and I have drunk enough water to keep hydrated. The little things are at least as important as the big things when it comes to parenting, and reminding yourself of all the things you actually have done can help you remember how important your job really is.
There are many other moms, maybe even living very close to you, who are going through a similar situation. This is a great time to reach out and make friends with other new moms. The fact that you have babies is an instant conversation starter and may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. A true mom friend can sympathize with both the good and bad of being a mom - the difficulty of nursing five times a night and the beauty of that first smile from your infant. There are probably many different types of Mommy and Me programs in your area. Try a few different ones until you find one that fits. There are groups that focus on music, some that incorporate workouts, and others that have a spiritual basis. If you don't want to join an official group, go to the playground at prime times for mommies and babies (usually midmorning), and strike up a conversation with some of the moms there. Libraries tend to have story times, and that can also be a good place to meet other moms. Volunteer in your church's nursery to meet more moms or talk to someone at your church about creating a mom's group if there is not one there already. Face-to-face friendships are necessary, but virtual ones can be valuable, too. Get online at some of the many websites that cater to moms and meet some of the moms that spend part of their free time online. Cultivating mommy friendships will definitely help keep boredom at bay.
Boredom can strike anyone, but new moms are especially susceptible, and it can lead to more serious problems, such as post-partum depression. Keep it under control by sticking to a schedule, reminding yourself of all your accomplishments, and making (and keeping) friends. If all else fails, you can always take up knitting - a baby can never have too many blankets! Remember, though, to keep it balanced. A little play, a little work, and a little rest is the recipe for a happy day for both you and your baby.
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