I’m lying on the floor having such a hard time being a stay at home mom

A stay-at-home mum has revealed she is struggling with the ‘thankless task’ of raising her children and has called for more recognition for the role she plays in society.

The mother said she feels completely undervalued because of the hard work she does, and struggles with a lack of self-esteem.

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“Currently I know I am capable of a lot and am a good mother, but it is a thankless job, both for the family, day to day and for society as a whole,” she told broadcaster Zoe Hardman and Georgia Dayton on their podcast Made by moms.

“More recognition for stay-at-home moms would help self-esteem, as we don’t get it from anywhere else.”

“Stay-at-home moms have the hardest job in the world,” said Zoë, who agreed with the mom’s sentiment.

Georgia added that she understands that stay-at-home moms don’t have as much say as working moms because their focus is solely on their children.

She advised the mother to get out and meet other stay-at-home mothers so she could feel more seen and supported.

“It’s very easy for stay-at-home moms to be overlooked because there isn’t always someone there to talk about the day-to-day stuff all the time.”

Zoe also pointed out that many mothers have no choice but to stay at home, as Britain has the worst paternity offer in Europe.

Moreover, given the skyrocketing costs of childcare, it is not economically feasible for many mothers to return to work after having children.

“How can we ever be equal in parenting, if one parent, mainly mothers, has to stay at home and cannot work in the workplace for years?”

“There is no support for stay-at-home mothers, they just have to get on with it.”

Zoe said society needs to focus on making stay-at-home mums the most important job, and realize how brilliant and hardworking they are.

This way, stay-at-home moms wouldn’t struggle with their self-esteem, she said.

Georgia added that stay-at-home moms don’t have breaks and can’t take time for themselves.

“So many people think they can’t ask for help because you don’t have to have childcare, but you do,” she said.

Bedtime tips for moms

If you’re tired of your toddler refusing to go to bed, read on.

A child health expert has revealed the five steps you need to take to calm your child down for a good night’s sleep.

Dr. Kaylene henderson spoke with Nine honey on what to do if your toddler doesn’t seem to settle for the night.

Every child is different and needs a different amount of sleep depending on their age, but these simple steps can make evenings a little easier for parents.

Just like adults, children need plenty of time to calm down before being put to bed.

One step you need to take is to make sure they have enough time to properly unwind after a busy day.

The expert recommends one to two hours before putting toddlers to bed.

And it’s just as important that parents take time to calm down and be more present so toddlers feel calmer.

Dr. Henderson explains: ‘After all, our children are like barometers of tensions in the household.

“If we want our children to calm down, we must make an effort to disconnect—from our phones, our work emails, and from the many other sources of distraction that compete for our attention.”

We’ve all been told to turn off our screens before going to bed because the blue light stops our brains from producing melatonin, our body’s sleep hormone.

That’s why the expert suggests turning off the device 60 to 90 minutes before bedtime so that children get a good night’s sleep.

Music and meditation can also help your child enter the land of kink, the expert claims.

She adds that slow music, at about 60 beats per minute, can help their breathing, heart rate and brain waves and relax their muscles.

“There are also great guided meditations designed specifically to help young children fall asleep at night.

“Headspace for Kids has a special sleep section tailored to three age groups: five and under, six to eight and nine to 12 – and you can try it for free,” she adds.

Finally, Dr. Henderson recommends following a nightly ritual every night to help your toddler fall asleep easily.

When children know what to expect each night, they can relax more easily and fall asleep naturally.

One of the best ways to do this is with a bedtime story.

She adds, “Remember, the goal is to put our little ones to sleep, so bedtime stories are usually the perfect tool, in the perfect place.”

“You really need a break. Being a stay-at-home mom is more than a full-time job, and that’s why you need to give yourself little breaks.”

“You’re not a robot, I completely agree with you,” Zoe repeated.

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