Stay at home mom

The girls are right. It is a precious time and yes babies are sooooooooo much easier than toddlers.

I must just add that even though Dylan goes to daycare, they do not tell us about what he gets up to. His Daymom has never said Dylan took his first steps or has crawled etc. His first steps with us were still super exciting.

I would be a sahm but only if Dylan was at school half day. That way I could get things done. I must also add that Dylan was a very busy baby.

Morning Ladies!

EveStyles - if our finances allowed I would definitely be a SAHM! I loved being on maternity leave. It was hectic but I loved it. I loved dropping Jade off at school and juggling Troy all bundled up at the same time. I loved fetching her and the total crazyness our household was/is! I'm very lucky that I can call my MIL or mom anytime to help though. I had a maid once a week to do the hard stuff - mop floors, ironing etc and then I would try to keep the house tidy inbetween. Hubby is very helpful. Remember I have a 2 year old which is basically a constant tornado of toys and spills etc. Newborns are easier in my opinion. Give me a baby anyday!

But as Claire says don't think about it too much as all this will depend on your baby. Some babies are happy to sit in a bouncer for a while whereas like mine have held all the time. I mastered the art of the one handed wee and cup of tea!

They are babies for such a short time so you are fortunate to be able to spend this amazing time of development at home!

EveStyles - you will find that we are far more resourceful than we realise, we are able to cope with a lot more then we give ourselves credit for.
We manage because we have to and then often have loads of (unexpected) fun along the way.

There is no point in panicing before you know what type of child you will have.
If you can afford to get full time help, you will sail thru it all, if not, try to get someone 2 or 3 times a week for the mornings only, so you can focus on your studies while she is there and you will not have the added strain of keeping the house tidy.

Everything I go thru is made worth it by the little hugs and kisses, or like this morning, waking up with both boys cuddling in bed.

Thanks for the info ladies. I am now more worried than ever but I guess I'll just wait and see what Connor is like

Eve i'm in the same boat as you. I was studying full time last year and i only have to complete next semester to finish my degree. I planned on having my baby, finishing my degree and starting work by next year but now that my baby is here i realise that things won't work out that way. He's only 3 weeks old but i'm already so exhausted that i would never be able to study and see to him and cooking and cleaning. You may be lucky and won't have a lo that wants to be carried all the time. Wait until your baby is born before deciding what to do.

Just wanted to add. I don't know if I'm the only one struggling with this one.

Nothing is quick and easy. You can't just quickly dash to the store or anywhere really, you have to time it between naps and feeds and in those early days they are only awake for 40min - 1h at a time. Winter especially is difficult because when it's cold and raining I feel too bad to take LO out the door.

Oh yes and outings get organized around availability of baby changing areas.

Today was tough for me, I had to go pick up food (7kg potatoes, 2kg meat and more ingredients) to take it somewhere else and I can't leave the child in the car to drag everything else around.

B is just over 10 months old and if I've spent in total 24 hours away from her then that is A LOT! It's full on 24/7

I don't think it will look bad on your CV, you can mention that you stayed at home for your child and you can add your studies (bonus!).

I wouldn't want to be a SAHM without domestic help as it is hectic. Days when I'm home is really hectic (even with Dorcas around). I don't know how moms survive without domestic help, even stay at home moms. Looking after a child full time is a full time job! I don't get nothing done with the kids around. So if you won't be planning on working from home and you've got domestic help, I would go for it.

I think the first years are really important in building that bond with your child, but the problem is also, that most times, your kids need you even more once they start going to school! Kayla is now in Grade 1 and for the first time in my life I just want to work from home so I can help her more and be there for her when she gets home from school.

I must admit, it's much more relaxing at work than at home

With regards to gym, if you can leave baby with someone to go to gym, it will be awesome but it's no fun packing your bag, taking baby with you to gym - I used to do that - but packing your baby's bag, take baby out the car, gym, getting called cause baby is screaming, getting dress, taking baby out again is just not lekker.