There are rarely ever easy choices to make in life and certainly when you become a parent the choices, decisions, and needs double even triple in quantity. As a stay at home mom, I struggle to maintain balance. I have had to change up parts of my life to fit with this new {and improved} life. Stay at home moms are not a rare breed, but it’s a huge choice.

ARE YOU A STAY AT HOME MOM?

Maybe you are no longer a stay at home mom. Maybe you are a brand new or maybe you are a wondering if you made the right choice. Almost every stay at home mom, who isn’t a millionaire, has had to change up some things. Even those who go back to work have to change up a few things! My friend and I were talking today about what it has meant to be stay at home moms. She is currently back to work and loving it, but I am still at home and loving it too.

10 THINGS I GAVE UP TO BE A STAY AT HOME MOM

Giving up things sounds pretty un-fun, but it really isn’t that bad!

Purchasing designer clothes or even new clothes! Maybe one special item or two a year. I would love to make a capsule wardrobe this year.

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Purchasing designer handbags and shoes! I check out swap sites if I really want something and although I could bet a Coach or Michael Kors for $60-100. It is still $60-100. No matter how good a deal, it isn’t that great of a deal if you are on a budget.

Having fancy meals out. Heck, even having meals out that aren’t order at the counter!

Hiring babysitters. That’s me and my husband and we are pretty cheap.

Taking awesome vacations to the Carribean each year. Glad we got that one in a few times.

Always having 2 nice cars. We do have one, which I get to drive. My poor husband has a little eggplant colored car with a pealing paint job.

Taking spontaneous trips for the day, weekend, or week. Yep, we did quite a few of these too.

Running my own personal training business. I gladly sold it to stay at home and so we could move closer to my husband’s work!

Getting in my marathon training. For our situation it became to difficult fitting in the time needed. Though I haven’t stopped exercising. See below!

Buying whatever, whenever. Which has been very helpful now for our savings account.

10 THINGS I DIDN’T GIVE UP AS A STAY AT HOME MOM

Everyone’s situation is going to dictate a different set of things to give up or not give up.

Getting my hair done! Yes, as you read above my roots may be showing longer then I would like. I do get myself to the salon though. It makes me feel good!

Buying good sneakers when needed. This is very important for all of us. We buy quality footwear as soon as it is need. Every 300 miles for me and every few months for my son.

Maintaining a gym membership has been so wonderful for all of us. Our local YMCA has so much to offer that is it always worth the price!

Not budgeting for groceries! I want to eat good, whole foods. Since we don’t go out for meals, buy coffees and do drive throughs, it works out.

Good living conditions. I am home a good portion of the day, and I want my house to be comfortable.

Making free time for myself. Yes, it can be done, and I need it. We all do.

Making time for hobbies of my own. Yea I know, there is a limit to the kind of hobbies possible, but I think it is important to having something you enjoy doing. New hobbies is something I am always on the look out for!

Giving up alone time with my husband. Our kiddo has an early bedtime and does not need to sleep with us. Therefore, we have evenings together. Even if we don’t actually do something together, it is just the two of us for a little bit each night before we go to bed.

Having little treats here and there. I like little treats. We all do. However, our treats equal our budget and rarely is there a big splurge unless it is planned out in advance.

Going out with friends. Every so often is girls night out. My husband is his parent too, so I have no problem enjoying a night out while dad makes dinner, plays, and does bedtime. He is as capable if not more sometimes then I am.

10 THINGS I GAINED FROM BEING A STAY AT HOME MOM

A little person who loves me and thinks I am his world. That’s pretty self explanatory! Every mom in every walk of life gains this amazing thing the day here child is born.

Learning a more easy going way of life. We are almost never rushed and usually our real day starts around 9am! Don’t let me fool you, that’s not when he wakes up, but we can take our time.

Finding a new hobby. Having a more limited amount of time to put towards a hobby, I took up competitive powerlifting. Not only have I gotten in much better shape, but I have found something just for me.

Meeting my mom friends who get what it is all about and have become life long friends as well. Plus our kids have grown up together.

Knowing what things are really worth. Money, time, energy. You realize what really matters when your time is limited and different than what it was before. You reprioritize after you become a mom.

Gaining more meaningful time with my husband. We have to make the most of the time we have together since date nights are few and far between! We certainly don’t take alone time for granted anymore.

Creating ways to enjoy mini trips. Being on a budget can certainly curb spontaneous day trips because of expenses you may not have thought twice about before, like gas for the car!

Saving money. Wow, when we had more money, we were really horrible at saving. What came in, went out. You know fancy dinners, Caribbean vacations, designer clothes {for both of us}! Now we actually bring in much less and save far more. If only I had known this sooner!

Spending money wisely has also made us more of aware of how much we don’t need and how much we value what do we have! You really do learn what is most important.

Making a lot out of a little is also an amazing concept to learn and pass on to our son.

AN INNER AND OUTER STRENGTH YOU NEVER KNEW YOU HAD!

We all give up something to get something in return. That’s what finding balance is all about. What have you given up or gained by choosing to stay at home?

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