This whole staying at home thing...it definitely has its ups and downs. On one hand, I love being able to share the little heartwarming moments with the boys throughout the day. On the other hand, I also get the moments with tantrums, boredom and scrounging to entertain all day too! On a daily basis I think I experience every emotion possible. It is exhausting, but I’ve discovered a few things that help me out in various ways! Here’s a few of the things that I use everyday in my stay at home life:
Diffuser with Grounding Blend
I love my essential oils diffuser! It gives a subtle scent to freshen up a room, and can also help with different situations: allergies, stressful environment, etc. The blend that has been my “go-to” lately is a grounding blend. (Grounding and being grounded is a term in aromatherapy used to mean connecting with the present, being in the now and physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally and energetically rooted.) When the kids (or myself) are a little high-strung and feeling like a little too much, this blend is a nice calming one to give a little balance for the day.
Grounding Blend Recipe:
3 drops Lavender
3 drops Cedarwood
1 drop Frankincense
1 drop Vetiver
Reusable Paper Towels
I have to give credit to my mom for making these! I realized after a few weeks at home just how many paper towels I was using in a day and it made me feel pretty guilty as a somewhat environmentally conscious citizen. I found a tutorial on how to make these reusable paper towels (really just normal hand towels with fabric and snaps sewn on) and showed it to my mom. She made me a few that snap together and that I can roll up and have on the counter. I use them to wipe counters, high chair tray, the kids’ faces-- you name it! (Of course I use separate ones for kids hands/faces and counter tops.) When they’re sufficiently used, I throw them in the wash, and they’re good as new!
Life Planner by Erin Condren
Most people use the calendar on their phone these days, and I do that too, but I really like having appointments and events written down somewhere that I can have staring me in the face everyday. I have been buying the Erin Condren teacher planners for the past few years and since I would’ve definitely missed that part of starting a new school year, I bought myself an Erin Condren Life Planner! It is perfect for looking at the week and writing down things I have planned, Todd’s work schedule/events, etc. I also have a giant dry-erase calendar in the kitchen. While it might seem confusing or overkill to have so many places to write things down, it’s the best way for me to make sure I am where I’m supposed to be! I feel like it will only be more helpful as the kids get older and we get busier!
Diffuser with Grounding Blend
I love my essential oils diffuser! It gives a subtle scent to freshen up a room, and can also help with different situations: allergies, stressful environment, etc. The blend that has been my “go-to” lately is a grounding blend. (Grounding and being grounded is a term in aromatherapy used to mean connecting with the present, being in the now and physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally and energetically rooted.) When the kids (or myself) are a little high-strung and feeling like a little too much, this blend is a nice calming one to give a little balance for the day.
Grounding Blend Recipe:
3 drops Lavender
3 drops Cedarwood
1 drop Frankincense
1 drop Vetiver
Reusable Paper Towels
I have to give credit to my mom for making these! I realized after a few weeks at home just how many paper towels I was using in a day and it made me feel pretty guilty as a somewhat environmentally conscious citizen. I found a tutorial on how to make these reusable paper towels (really just normal hand towels with fabric and snaps sewn on) and showed it to my mom. She made me a few that snap together and that I can roll up and have on the counter. I use them to wipe counters, high chair tray, the kids’ faces-- you name it! (Of course I use separate ones for kids hands/faces and counter tops.) When they’re sufficiently used, I throw them in the wash, and they’re good as new!
Life Planner by Erin Condren
Most people use the calendar on their phone these days, and I do that too, but I really like having appointments and events written down somewhere that I can have staring me in the face everyday. I have been buying the Erin Condren teacher planners for the past few years and since I would’ve definitely missed that part of starting a new school year, I bought myself an Erin Condren Life Planner! It is perfect for looking at the week and writing down things I have planned, Todd’s work schedule/events, etc. I also have a giant dry-erase calendar in the kitchen. While it might seem confusing or overkill to have so many places to write things down, it’s the best way for me to make sure I am where I’m supposed to be! I feel like it will only be more helpful as the kids get older and we get busier!
Stick Vacuum
This. Is. Life-changing. I hate having messy floors and carpets and it is impossible to avoid with kids leaving crumbs of food and Play doh everywhere! It might seem lazy, but it is sort of a hassle to get out the big vacuum, plug it in, worry about kids tripping over the cord and all of that. A cordless stick vacuum with attachments makes it so much easier to vacuum everyday, (sometimes multiple times) and keep the place looking a bit more presentable! It also helps me avoid having to wonder what Xander has in his mouth since he insists on picking everything up and trying it!
Mom’s One Line A Day
A big thank you to my friend and “uncousin” Ashley telling me about this! This One Line a Day makes writing down memories for each of the kids so much more accessible and manageable than digging out the baby books every night! These are like tiny journals that help you to write down one or a few things from the day for 5 years! I have one for each of the boys and I write down what we did that day or something cute that happened or something cute that they said or did! I love these things and I really have been keeping up with them! It will be something I will be so glad to look back on and even for the kids to read once they’re older! Thanks again, Ashley!
Yeti 30 oz Rambler
Ok I’m not sure how I made it without this thing. I’m kidding of course, but this giant cup has helped me drink more water than I ever thought I could! It keeps it cold ALL day, and what is best, fits in every cup holder so I can take it in the car, in the stroller for walks and even in the side pocket of the diaper bag! Now, I’m sure other brands that do similar things are just fine too, but I decided to splurge on this and I literally use it everyday, so it was well worth the money! I also purchased some reusable straws to, once again, satisfy the environmentally conscious voice in my head. Plus straws make drinking water easier for me for some reason.
This. Is. Life-changing. I hate having messy floors and carpets and it is impossible to avoid with kids leaving crumbs of food and Play doh everywhere! It might seem lazy, but it is sort of a hassle to get out the big vacuum, plug it in, worry about kids tripping over the cord and all of that. A cordless stick vacuum with attachments makes it so much easier to vacuum everyday, (sometimes multiple times) and keep the place looking a bit more presentable! It also helps me avoid having to wonder what Xander has in his mouth since he insists on picking everything up and trying it!
Mom’s One Line A Day
A big thank you to my friend and “uncousin” Ashley telling me about this! This One Line a Day makes writing down memories for each of the kids so much more accessible and manageable than digging out the baby books every night! These are like tiny journals that help you to write down one or a few things from the day for 5 years! I have one for each of the boys and I write down what we did that day or something cute that happened or something cute that they said or did! I love these things and I really have been keeping up with them! It will be something I will be so glad to look back on and even for the kids to read once they’re older! Thanks again, Ashley!
Yeti 30 oz Rambler
Ok I’m not sure how I made it without this thing. I’m kidding of course, but this giant cup has helped me drink more water than I ever thought I could! It keeps it cold ALL day, and what is best, fits in every cup holder so I can take it in the car, in the stroller for walks and even in the side pocket of the diaper bag! Now, I’m sure other brands that do similar things are just fine too, but I decided to splurge on this and I literally use it everyday, so it was well worth the money! I also purchased some reusable straws to, once again, satisfy the environmentally conscious voice in my head. Plus straws make drinking water easier for me for some reason.
Banana-Egg Pancakes
This is not something I use everyday, but it has become an easy go-to meal for the kids! My picky-eater, Leo, loves pancakes, but I hate that there isn’t a ton of nutritional value to them unless you buy the expensive mixes. Even then, they just aren’t the best. I mentioned in a previous post that my friend Angie told me about this easy recipe that only uses two eggs and one banana. This has been a hit and I’ve made them for breakfasts and even as a quick dinner on some days! I mash the banana in a bowl, add in the eggs and whisk! Then, I cook on low-heat. I’ve found this to be the key to getting them a bit fluffier and not burnt. I then put a little butter and local honey on top rather than syrup. Both kids LOVE them! Thank you, Angie for this healthier meal option!
Banana-Egg Pancakes Recipe
1 banana - mashed
2 eggs
Combine mashed banana and eggs in bowl and whisk together. Pour mixture onto griddle that has been greased with cooking spray or butter. Cook over low heat until browned on both sides. Top pancakes with butter and honey.
Hope you enjoyed my list of necessary items for the SAHM life! Let me know of any items you seem to use on a daily basis!
This is not something I use everyday, but it has become an easy go-to meal for the kids! My picky-eater, Leo, loves pancakes, but I hate that there isn’t a ton of nutritional value to them unless you buy the expensive mixes. Even then, they just aren’t the best. I mentioned in a previous post that my friend Angie told me about this easy recipe that only uses two eggs and one banana. This has been a hit and I’ve made them for breakfasts and even as a quick dinner on some days! I mash the banana in a bowl, add in the eggs and whisk! Then, I cook on low-heat. I’ve found this to be the key to getting them a bit fluffier and not burnt. I then put a little butter and local honey on top rather than syrup. Both kids LOVE them! Thank you, Angie for this healthier meal option!
Banana-Egg Pancakes Recipe
1 banana - mashed
2 eggs
Combine mashed banana and eggs in bowl and whisk together. Pour mixture onto griddle that has been greased with cooking spray or butter. Cook over low heat until browned on both sides. Top pancakes with butter and honey.
Hope you enjoyed my list of necessary items for the SAHM life! Let me know of any items you seem to use on a daily basis!
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