15 retos que sólo entienden las madres que se quedan en casa

Cuando mi marido me sugirió que lo mejor sería que me quedara en casa criando a nuestros hijos hasta que empezaran el colegio, acepté inmediatamente. En ese momento Pensé que por qué no, quedarme en casa con los niños sería estupendo. Además, pasé un mal momento en el trabajo y una pausa en mi carrera me pareció la idea perfecta.

Casi todos mis amigos hicieron lo mismo cuando tuvieron hijos y lo único que oía era “It’s the best thing to do when your kids are infants or toddlers.” or “You’ll get to watch them grow and witness all of their milestones.”

Overall enthusiasm did not prepare me for the stark reality – ser ama de casa es una batalla cuesta arriba.

Según mi experiencia, estas son las 15 desventajas de ser ama de casa:

1. “I realized SAHM is a full-time job”

Be aware – it’s not only playing, hugging, and kissing little noses and fingers. Además de cuidar a los niños, también incluye tareas domésticas, cocinar, limpiar, hacer la compra, llevarlos al médico y gestionar las necesidades generales del hogar y la familia.

Al menos a mí me pasó, pero sé más lista y haz un plan para repartir todas las tareas domésticas entre tu marido y tú.

2. “I felt lonely and isolated”

La falta de interacción social tiene peso e influye en tu estado de ánimo. Estar con los niños todo el tiempo, sin poder tener una conversación adulta adecuada excepto con tu marido, puede hacer que te sientas sola.

Days will revolve around satisfying kids’ needs and there will be no room for any other activity. You’ll lose touch with your friends and family, y cuando recuerdes las charlas ocasionales que disfrutabas en la oficina te parecerá una vida completamente distinta.

So, go meet your best friend at least twice a month. Don’t make excuses, hubby can replace you for an hour.

3. “Being SO tired I was easily irritated and would often lose my temper”

Los días ajetreados te hacen sentir agotado y abrumado, y puedes sobresaltarte con facilidad. Además, es posible que te enfades y grites a tus hijos. 

Después de la tormenta emocional, te sientes mal e impotente, sin la idea de cómo manejar la carga y hacer que todo funcione. Feeling trapped is also very common among stay-at-home moms. Sometimes we don’t leave the house for days!

Intente mantener la calma y recuerde respirar.

4. “I was incapable to ask for help”

I usually feel rattled when I’m under the time pressure and there’s a lot to do. I rush myself, become more nervous, and then I drop things, damage the door, or scratch the car. 

No matter how many things I do, there’s always more. It’s a never-ending cycle, and you never catch a break.

Many women fail to notice that it’s all too much and they need to ask for help. Pídele a tu marido que te eche una mano con las tareas domésticas. Sé que tiene un trabajo a tiempo completo, pero tú también. Después de las 5 pm todos los deberes deben ser compartidos entre los dos.

5. “I was stuck in the routine loop”

You feel as if you’re in an endless routine loop that gets repeated over and over again. Todos los días son iguales, often you’re not sure if it’s Wednesday or Thursday.

You keep feeding the kids, changing diapers, washing clothes, ironing, cleaning the dishes, picking up toys, etc. Of course it’s exhausting. As if you’re a rat in a wheel.

Así que rompe con la rutina y llévate a los niños a comer fuera. O llévatelos de picnic.

6. “My days were tedious and dull”

La naturaleza repetitiva de tu agenda diaria hace que a veces te sientas aburrido. Eterno El trabajo duro te deja deprimido y tu vida parece no tener sentido. Pierdes la motivación y te olvidas de cuidarte.

Recuerda que a veces mamá necesita un descanso. Pídele a tu marido que cuide de los niños mientras tú sales. ¡Un simple paseo puede hacer maravillas!

7. “I felt worthless without a ‘real’ job”

While your career is on hold, even though you’re very busy with childcare, sigues viéndote como un desempleado. Esto puede darle una sensación de inutilidad, puede tener un grave impacto en su autoestima y puede evocar ansiedad.

That’s why I keep repeating – SAHM is a real job, more difficult than the one you’re being paid for. Give yourself credit and make sure to thrive in your new “tenure”!

After all, I’m glad I’ve spent a few years being a stay-at-home mom, but Ojalá estuviera preparada para todos los inconvenientes de este papel. Sería mucho más fácil para mí si mis amigos hubieran compartido estos útiles consejos. Así que, por favor, ¡tomen nota!

8. “I missed having a personal identity”

When you dedicate all your time and energy to your family, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are outside of being a mom. Your hobbies, interests, and ambitions may take a backseat, leaving you feeling like you’ve lost a part of yourself.

Find ways to reconnect with your identity. Pick up an old hobby, join a class, or set aside time for personal growth. Even small efforts can help you rediscover your sense of self and remind you that you’re more than just a mom.

9. “I struggled with societal expectations”

Society often has conflicting views about stay-at-home moms. On one hand, you’re praised for dedicating yourself to your family. On the other, you might feel judged for not contributing financially. These mixed messages can be hard to navigate.

Ignore the noise and focus on what works best for your family. Everyone’s journey is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. Surround yourself with supportive people who understand and respect your choices.

10. “I battled guilt over self-care”

Taking time for yourself can sometimes feel selfish when you’re a stay-at-home mom. But self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. When you’re well-rested and happy, you’re better equipped to care for your family.

Start small. Take 30 minutes a day to do something you love. Whether it’s reading, exercising, or simply relaxing, prioritize your needs. Remember, taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your family.

11. “I worried about reentering the workforce”

Taking a career break can make you anxious about returning to work. Will your skills be outdated? Will employers overlook you? These fears are common but shouldn’t hold you back.

Stay connected to your industry through networking or online courses. Update your resume regularly and highlight the skills you’ve developed as a stay-at-home mom, like multitasking, problem-solving, and time management. These are valuable in any workplace.

12. “I felt invisible”

Stay-at-home moms often feel unappreciated and overlooked. The work you do isn’t always visible, and it’s easy to feel like your efforts go unnoticed.

Communicate your feelings with your family and remind them of the value you bring to their lives. Celebrate small wins, and don’t be afraid to seek validation from yourself and others.

13. “I struggled with my mental health”

Los retos de ser ama de casa pueden afectar a tu salud mental. Los sentimientos de soledad, frustración e inadecuación pueden acumularse con el tiempo.

Don’t hesitate to seek support. Talk to a therapist or join a support group for moms. Remember, you’re not alone in your struggles, and help is available.

14. “I missed adult company”

Spending all day with children can make you crave adult interaction. While your kids are wonderful, they can’t replace the connection and stimulation you get from talking to other adults.

Haga un esfuerzo por socializar. Únase a un club de lectura, asista a actos comunitarios o simplemente póngase al día con sus amigos. La compañía de adultos puede suponer un refrescante cambio de ritmo.

15. “I learned to appreciate the little things”

Despite all the challenges, being a stay-at-home mom taught me to find joy in the small moments. A giggle, a hug, or a simple “Thank you, Mommy” can make all the hard work feel worthwhile.

Cherish these moments. They’re fleeting but precious, and they remind you why you chose this path in the first place.