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Do you ever feel like your life revolves around food? Let me explain. Grocery shopping, cooking, setting the table, feeding the baby, washing dishes, cleaning up after every one…ugh! The

list is crazy and endless. I recently came across a sizzling online debate where SAHM’s across the globe were airing their challenges and frustrations with each other… and, for the first

time in a long while, I felt heard and seen. These were women who had gone through it before me. They had come from an Uber-wealthy, financially independent life, going for exotic holidays

in the Caribbean once or twice a year and dining in Michelin five-star restaurants, to a life of total isolation. And, their net worth was snowballing right before their eyes. And as

full-time SAHM’s, they are now feeling like the world is catching a glimpse of what they go through daily. The life of solitude and isolation has been nothing unfamiliar. That means SAHM’s

have been experiencing a massive disconnect with the outside world, and there’s a new form of respect and appreciation for them. Why? Parents feel stuck with their kids, and the daily

routine has proven to be a mammoth task. As a Stay-at-Home mum myself, I know how mind-numbing the wash, rinse, repeat life every stinking day can get. Meanwhile, for you, the working mom,

you’ve probably been considering hanging up your boots. And though it comes with a few perks, like; having quality time with your kids or never missing a milestone, every stay-at-home mom

agrees that it’s a critical decision. WHY YOU SHOULD STOP TO THINK FIRST BEFORE TAKING THE PLUNGE * Be Smart about Spending First, understand that you’ll move from a financially sufficient

lifestyle to being answerable for every coin spent. Huge cracks will start to show in your reserves. You’ll need to sit down with your pen and notebook and come up with a realistic budget

ahead of your big decision. Downsize the “usual stuff,” eating out, new shoes, fancy cars, seasonal home redecoration, and renovations. Find free activities to do with your kids, such as

cycling, going to the library, utilizing your yard, etc. Also, try meal planning every weekend for the whole week. You will not only save money but your time too. 2. Discuss Chores

Allocation Before you fully decide to use the stay-at-home mom’s highway, sit down with your partner about helping out in the home. Bathing the kids and putting them to sleep, helping with

kid’s homework, doing the dishes, and cooking on weekends, etcetera. Also, if your kids are above the cradle age, assign light duties to them like collecting their toys, putting away their

dishes after meals, or even feeding the pets. The point is, you will need all the help you can get to take off some of the weight from your shoulders. 3. You’ll Be Lonely The monotony of the

daily routine will kill you every day. Laundry, cleaning the house, cooking, waiting for the kids to fall asleep (which is almost like never) You’ll feel like a hamster running on a wheel.

You’ll be thirsty for stimulating conversations with adults. Your phone will be your only connection to the outside world. You see, staying at home means losing touch with your friends

(you’ll have somewhere between negligible and zero friends), and it will now be you and your kids. You’ll be terrified of new group settings meaning that it’ll be difficult for you to join

anything, and you’ll develop social anxiety. How do you overcome this? Find other SAHM’s (they understand the pressure and the need to vent) and organize for playdates. Focus on your

hobbies, like crocheting, when the kids are playing. Listen to educational podcasts or hop on a great read on audible (especially if your kids cannot allow you to engage in a self-absorbed

reading activity). Try anything that will help break the monotonous routine and keep you sane. 4. Find Time for Yourself Sadly enough, this is the most underrated and overlooked area for

millions of stay-at-home moms. You wear every other title (mom, wife, chef, cleaner, teacher, and nurse) but self. Don’t get me wrong; all these titles are great. But once you start giving

yourself some personal time, you’ll feel refreshed and excited again. Take time out even if it’s just for two hours a week and visit the spa, your local gym, or a 30-minutes run in your

neighbourhood. You’ll get to look at life from a better view. 5. Prepare Yourself for Trains of Rude Questions “Seriously though, what do you do all day?” or “Do you honestly need a maid?”

These are some of the few questions you need to brace yourself for from time to time. As a SAHM of two kids, I know I have encountered a bunch of those. Don’t take in any of the negative

energy from ignorant people. Whether it’s from your spouse, your distant cousin, or your local shopkeeper, press the ignore button. Avoid listening and internalizing because you’ll start

feeling like you suck as a mum once you do. Don’t create unnecessary anxiety around yourself. You’re doing the best you can, and no one should pin you down. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IS… It gets

better and better as they grow older. Being a working mum or a SAHM is hard. Being a parent altogether is a tough call. You can opt for going back to work once the kids are older, join a

class, or find your way around being a happy and positive stay-at-home mom. Most importantly, protect your mental well-being because you cannot begin to imagine how much a mom is worth.

Related: What Research Says About Being a Stay-at-Home Mom P.S. Not trying to make light of the pandemic at all. The world is going through a horrible time, as is, with the loss of lives and

livelihoods. We’re all holding our breath until this is over. Stay safe. Stay sane.