The first few weeks after bringing a baby home is pretty exciting for many new parents. Adjusting to new routines, visitors coming and going, presents for the little one and learning to live with this new person in your life makes you very busy.
But the new life that occurs when a baby enters our lives is one that is entirely different from the life you had beforehand. The majority of your time and attention is spent on the new baby. Little time is left for socializing, working or even doing something for yourself, which can be as little as getting dressed in the morning or having a shower.
In fact, the routine becomes terribly monotonous and boring. There are only so many talk shows you can watch, only so many infomercials in the wee hours of the morning, and small amounts of time where you can catch up on sleep or housework. This can easily lead to boredom, and of not addressed can lead to resentment and angst in your life.
How do you relieve the new mummy boredom you seem to have acquired? Following are some ways to ensure you spend some attention on yourself to avoid becoming bored at this amazing time of your life.
TAKE SOME TIME OUT FOR YOURSELF
The few months having a new baby in the house is exhausting. You're learning and adjusting how to be a mother, your previous relationships with your partner and friends have gone into turmoil, and your baby is still demanding attention and growing every day. It's easy to get caught into boring routines that provide you with little stimulation and little time for yourself.
Organize one day a week or one day a fortnight where you get to spend a day to yourself. Have your partner or other relative care for your child on this day and take the opportunity to be selfish for a few hours. Time for yourself to get your hair or nails done, catch up with friends or just to have a bath and read a book without interruption is very important.
JOIN A MOTHER'S GROUP
It's amazing the amount of times I've seen odd reactions when you mention the words 'Mother's Group'. Through your local council or health center, ask about a group available with women who have children the same age as yours. Local church groups sometimes organize groups too.
Socializing with moms and dads who have the same aged children is great. You can bounce ideas, discuss issues and discover some friends that will impact your life forever.
INTERESTED IN ANY HOBBIES?
Now may be the time to take up that knitting or sewing you've always wanted to do. Pace yourself to ensure you're not foregoing important rest and discover abilities you may never thought you had. You just never know where a hobby can lead you, but most importantly it can alleviate boredom.
USING THE COMPUTER
If you don't have the ability to get out and meet people, then use the internet to locate some great websites, groups and people. There are millions of websites available to parents and following are some of my favorites. Not only are the people on the forums easy to deal with, they contain a wealth of information and help available for parents.
www.netmums.com
www.kidspot.com.au
www.magicmum.com
GET OUT OF THAT HOUSE!
Just because you have a new baby it doesn't mean you can't leave the house. I know because I too fell into the trap of having my life revolve around sleep and feeding times. If you do this, you certainly have the ability to isolate yourself and resentment and boredom can follow.
Make that coffee date with your friends, attend a moms with bubs movie session, get in the car and take a weekend trip away. Even get a good stroller, a walking buddy and walk around the neighborhood a few days a week. Don't become a slave to baby routine, don't become a slave to your housework and don't feel obligated to be the perfect stay at home mom with mundane routines.
CAN YOU DO SOME WORK FROM HOME?
The first few months of a baby's life are pretty boring. They rely on you for their feed and their comfort and it feels sometimes like you are just waiting these moments all the time. Many babies don't start becoming mobile until between 6-9 months of age, and they spend a lot of the time sleeping.
Is there anything you can do at the times when your baby is sleeping? What did you do as previous employment? Can you do any of this from home? What about selling things on eBay or making use of those crafts you've completed and selling them on Etsy? Is there some typing work you can do from home? What about bookkeeping? Ask your previous employer or use some skills you have to work from home between the times when baby need attention.
New mummy boredom is a common problem that we all suffer from at one time or another. Use some of the above tips to avoid that boredom that will ensure you are healthier in mind, body and spirit to be a better mother and partner.