by Suzanne Pilkington

Created on: June 03, 2009

How to Love Your Status as a Stay-at-Home-Mom

The title of stay-at-home-mom can be exactly what you always thought you'd have, or it can come as a surprise decision you make the day your child is born. Either way, like any job, it has both benefits and downfalls. Of course you will love the time spent with your child, but you may also find yourself feeling a little out of the loop of regular life.

Here are five tips to help make this your dream job:

1. Create your own water cooler: Remember how nice it was at your office job to take a break from the incessant ringing of your cubicle phone and head over for a c chat with your fellow workers at the water cooler? The camaraderie of others can be one of the main things that a stay-at-home mom misses. Sure you have your kids to talk to, but how much of an opinion on global warming or the new yellow purse you just bought is your three-month-old likely to have?

You can create your own water cooler atmosphere in a variety of ways. First, think like a mom. Where do mommies go? Story time at your local library is a gold-mine of a place to pick up new mommy friends. Many libraries have story times for a variety of ages, even newborns. And unlike a new man you are trying to impress, the other mommies won't care about that fresh spit-up stain on your shirt.

Another great water cooler to try is a playgroup. Of course playgroups for newborns tend to be a little more about the mommies interacting, but finding the perfect playgroup can help older children learn social interaction.

The great thing about hanging out with other mommies is that they will not make a face when you tell them you are a stay-at-home-mom. In fact, they probably won't even ask what your day job is since it is 10:30 on a Wednesday, and you are both listening to the librarian make zoo animal noises while bouncing your bundles-of-joy upon your laps.

2. Stay current: Don't lose your own interests in the pursuit of being a mommy. Remember how much you loved reading the latest literary best-seller before your child was born, but now all you find yourself reading is books on parenting? Take the time to pursue your old interests.

Are you planning on going back to work in a few years? Stay current on your old industry. This can be a plus when it comes time to head back to the work force. Do you enjoy reading? Start a book club with your mommy friends.

Also, make use of your playgroup time to discuss things besides parenting.

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