I gave my 2 week notice at work yesterday

[hokiegirl82]

and as of October 31 at 4:00 pm, I'll be a SAHM. I'm excited, but also terrified at what a big change it will be to go from working outside the home for the past 9 years since I graduated college to being home all day with the kid and 2 (sometimes annoying) dogs. Our original plan was for me to work until next May or June, then I would SAH because we are planning on moving further west in our metro area (DC) and I didn't want a long commute, but things have been in the shitter at my job since before I even went on maternity leave, and I had an incident with our office manager about a month ago that was it for me - I basically begged H to see if there was a way financially that I could quit sooner, and although we are going to make some big changes to our lifestyle and spending habits, I am pretty excited that I will get to be with DS and see him grow in his first year. It's been hard for me since I came back to work at the end of August because I miss DS so much, but I've gotten used to it, and he's at a great daycare where they love him, but I am still happy that I will get to spend more time with him. We are also possibly moving sooner (maybe putting the house on the market in a month or two) so not working FT will give me time to get our house more ready to sell.

Any words of advice for going from FT working mom to SAHM?

[carolinagirl831]

Congrats, no advice but it sounds like you'll be slot happier!

[narockshard]

Congrats! No real advice, but I went from working FT to PT and I LOVE it. It's kind of the perfect mix of being able to get out of the house and also have enough time in the week to spend with the baby and take care of the house. For me personally I think I would get too bored at home, so if you feel like you'd need something to keep the day to day more interesting, mom groups or volunteering are great ideas.

[formerlyllizzyb]

I worked PT the first two years of my son's life and started SAH FT just after he turned two.

Have no expectations. Go into it without any preconceived ideas of what your days will look like.

Join a gym with childcare.

Congrats!

[niq]

Seeing as how I neither SAH nor am an M, I don't have much advice but it sounds like you're looking forward to it. Enjoy!

[jr009j]

I went from working FT to staying at home when DD was 15 months. The only thing I missed about working was using the bathroom with a little helper and being able to run errands by myself over lunch. We have a schedule of activities that we loosely stick to and I was pretty aggressive in making mom friends to get adult interaction.

[zarapipe]

Congrats!

[catsarecute]

I'm excited for you! I don't have experience in this but I would suggest finding play groups or a moms group so you can still be connected to adults on a regular basis. I hear that it can be hard being isolated from adults as a SAH parent.

Congrats!

[cinco]

Congrats! I started SAH after my son, and it has been great. With a newborn and toddler we were able to do library groups, nature classes, music class through the county, etc. I also picked up running as a hobby and got plenty of use out of my double jogging stroller.

I used to work in DC and we lived in MoCo. We moved last year to Western Md and I love it! I'm partial to all the western suburbs b/c we have relatives and friends in Loudoun County, and in WV. We have so much space compared to our old house and a yard, and a cheaper mortgage (YAY!)

Good luck!

[SJ]

Congrats- I know you have been looking forward to this for a while!

[kershnic]

No advice, but I'm on this journey with you. (For the next year or so at least....)

My last day is November 17th!

[aspentosh]

I was in your exact shoes a year ago (Oct 18th was my last day!). Right down to the two somewhat annoying dogs

My advice is take it easy on yourself the first few months. It's definitely a transition and not setting expectations too high is important. Especially since you're entering winter and may not be able to get outside a lot.

Activities are good (Music Together was a favorite for my 2 year old) but don't over plan them. 

Make sure you get out of the house for YOURSELF. Gym. Target. Coffee. Something I didn't need this every day, but more like 1-2x per week. It was great. 

GL! (PS- I am in the DC area, so feel free to PM for more info or for a meet up)

[pinotgrig]

No advice but congrats! I know this is something you've planned on, so it's nice you were able to make it happen sooner.

[ginkgoleaf]

Congrats! I did the same at the end of June and the only thing I miss is one coworker, who I meet for lunch every few weeks.

I find it helpful to have an activity about 4 of the 5 weekdays - swim lessons, library time, play dates, whatever. Enjoy!

[minzy]

Congrats on making the move... welcome to the dark side!  

If you haven't had one recently, you might ask to have a written review of your work up until you leave.  I requested and got this on the way out of being a fed, mostly to document what my level and salary were, and to have someone else sign off on how awesome I was at my job.  I figure it can't hurt to have on hand if I ever go back to work.  I have also kept in touch with several of my old colleagues (mostly via facebook), and I send a holiday card to the whole office each year (why not?).  You just never know.  

I would use your kid as a meal ticket to making parent friends in your new neighborhood.  We have lived in three different locations since my older one was born, and I made a lot of friends in each place just being out and about with my kid.  Storytime, Music Together, walks in the neighborhood, playgrounds, etc., etc.  Just keep showing up and be friendly and inclusive.

The hardest part for me was/is the loss of contributing in a professional sense.  I explored a couple of pro bono clinics, but they were not a good fit since I had no background in the particular areas where people needed help.  Maybe something like that will work for you though, to ease the transition?  I did some alumni volunteering for a little while and DD1 and I volunteered for Meals on Wheels for a year, which helped make me feel more rounded.  Otherwise, I try to work out and am in a book club, and I get the paper on Sundays so I feel a little more informed about the larger world.  

If you feel bored at all, have another kid, and that will take care of that, ha! 

[lulu21]

It's just as exhausting

I went from FT to SAH. I joined meet up groups, found a lot of free activities in the area, and plan on becoming a member at some museums and aquariums once J can walk.

[IndiaInk]

Im glad you are able to make it work. I am more or less SAH now, as we decided to put our farm business on hold for a couple yrs til we can buy rather than lease farm land. It's less stressful now that I don't have to take the baby to work with me but it's also a lot more boring. I miss my work. I think SAH with DD will be more fun as she gets older and more interactive though.
DH and I have an arrangement that I can go running in the early mornings with my friends and he will watch the baby. It's really great for my mental and social wellbeing.

[Deleted]

Congrats! Oct 31 is my last day too. Although under different circumstances, I am not so secretly thrilled to be able to spend more time with DS.

[sweetiesparkles]

Enjoy! My daughter is 6 and in school fulltime. Make sure to get out of the house daily! Also, my hardest time was 3pm--dinner so have some fun activities planned.

[dulcemariamar]

Congrats. You will have both great days and bad ones just like any SAHM or WM. My only piece of advice is to takes things slowly. Activities and play dates are fun for everyone but there is something great about a relaxing morning where you stay in your PJs for a while. You don't have to be a social director and plan super fun activities all the time. Take time for yourself. Having a basic routine does help.