[MBA]

I was inspired and gained clarity on my problem when I read the post "not sure who I am anymore". I have tons of ideas and creative energy. I like SAH overall. the problem is, what can I do for myself with my dd along? I;ve tried travelling out of the country that was a disaster. Even travel nearby is not quite fun, as I have to plan for her naps etc, though maybe that would be easier now that she only needs one. but constant eating in restaurants is a pain.

I do take her to the library and read through interesting stuff while she plays....I love to do artsy creative stuff in the house (arrange flowers, decorate with found objects), try new recipes/cook intersting things, read, try to find and go to free stimulating activities involving dance, cultural, etc.....I can run with her in the jogging stroller, and I love to run. We are also slated ot be foster parents, which is sort of like WAHM since i used to be a social worker. I think that will be pretty cool.

My dd is 14 months so she likes to get into everything, which limits things....

But what ideas can you share?

 

[Kidzaplenty]

:
I don't have much of an answer but when I need to find "me" I take a HOT bubble bath and read a book. I like to read, and I am currently working on compiling/writing a couple of books of my own. So I guess that is considered "self-fullfilling". I just, personally, don't have much need for more.

 

[vermonttaylors]

OK Jenny, WHEN ON EARTH DO YOU HAVE TIME TO READ??????

I love to read to and actually get a fair amount of it done (to the detriment of the housework, but reading is a priority for me). I hvae been thinking about this a lot too. I am trying to get onto some kind of schedule so that I can maybe take a class and start back toward my MS. That would be fullfilling to me. I also quilt, knit, make preserves and write, none of which I have the energy to do these days. Oh well. I think I just need to organize my time better so that I can fit things in.

Most important for me is to figure out how to get exercise. THAT's what actually gives me the energy to get other things done!

Cheers!

 

[SoggyGranolaMomma]

I'm going to work on this too. I figure if I want to garden, I will plant them a garden or rather, let THEM plant a garden to tend.

If I want to sew, I can get the younger ones some beads to string and the older ones some needlepoint stuff.

If I want to bake, I can make them a pile of dough and let them "bake" with me.

I'm going to buy some silk scarves and dye them, they can help me with that.

There isn't really any activity for adults that doesn't have a "childrens" variation.

 

[earthmama369]

I take the kiddos to poi practice with me. Repeat after me: Fire pretty.

There are plenty of people there so there's always someone willing to hold a baby or entertain a toddler while I take a turn, and when I'm holding ds I spend that time watching to learn new moves. DS spends a lot of time in the sling so I can play with dd at the same time. DH meets us there when he gets out of work and takes the kiddos for 1/2 an hour or so and that's when I get concentrated spin time.

 

[MBA]

I like this conversation.....i feel good that I have recognized a very real personal need, but it doesn;t have to be expressed through self pity or complaints. More ideas!!!

:

 

[Tori Gollihugh]

Mostly my self-fulfilling activity is reading/research. It's been MUCH easier to actually DO since DD has gotten a little older (she's two and a half now) because she's QUITE good at entertaining herself and even likes to play on her own.

Cleaning with her and having little classes with her are fulfilling to me because I LOVE to teach... but they can also be exhausting (especially the cleaning because it takes twice as long), but always worth it when I review the day before I sleep at night.

I'm hoping to begin some online classes of interest to me in pursuit of some certifications I very much aspire to. However, money is the main retardant... so I just daydream about that rather often, which is actually pretty nice... and SO fun to daydream! hahaha

Sorry not many/any new suggestions.

 

[Starlitlexy]

I'm curious to see what everyone does. Honestly the best break for me when he is busy self entertaining is spent online or making calls and connecting with the outside world so to speak. I feel better after I vent or just talk to someone.

 

[churchofdisco]

i'm with starlitlexy on this one. while i do enjoy knitting, reading, etc- things that really recharge me are things that i can do to just sort of decompress from "mom-mode" like going to the gym or talking on the phone with a friend, or tie-ing the little one on my back and tossing the toddler into the jogging stroller at the end of the day. i grab my MP3 player, put on some lovey and up-beat but not hyper music- like Lamb or something, and just walk for an hour. i am interested in hearing what other ladies do while they have their kiddos since having DH take them away is not an option right now.

 

[Kaitnbugsmom]

I read while the baby naps and the five year old plays with her toys. Or I nap as well, if Dh is home.

I am showing the 7 y/o how to use ask & google to look up answers/ideas for her 'unit studies' at school, so she does that while I'm cooking, which I love {cooking, as well as seeing her be more independant} She reads her chapter homework to the baby, so that keeps both of them entertained while I do laundry and pick up around the house, plus it gets her homework done so we have time for other things.

 

[Pam_and_Abigail]

I'm trying to teach my four year old to meditate by encouraging calm breathing and concentrating on a colour.

And I "let" the girls do my hair and rub cream on my feet, legs and belly.