Stay at home "moms"?

[makemepretty]

Emilyann, you're a sweetheart! I get time to myself when school's in session. Those hours are priceless! It's just that with Summer vacation here I sometimes look like a banshee carrying around a dirty sock and a handful of candy wrappers going "whose are theeeeeese?" No wonder my kids stay up late

Volunteering -if you can leave the house is great. I go once a week during the school year to help a kid with his reading skills. For some reason it's just more rewarding to teach someone elses kid.

"Boxed wine and romance novels."- that's priceless, made my day Reminds me a cute kid onesie that said "My mommy drinks because I cry" hee hee.

[Wigfur]

I'm a stay at home mom,but I work from my home as well.I have little "down time" or rest time. ha ha I clean everyday,laundry everyday,attend the gardens everyday,and I have a 5.5 yr old a 7 yr old and Leo. I have laptop which works great for outside time I can work still with my kids playing in the backyard. My daughter is autistic and creates a lot of art and craft work. I'll have to attach a photo of the last thing this lil detail minded child has created. ha ha I love it. I have yet found time to be bored as I am sure MANY stay at home mom's of skin kids have found. I've found staying at home taking care of the kids, the animals and the house is a non stop job.

Photo is a "bird play ground" cyan made with yarn,beads,elbow pasta and glitter.

[emilyann]

Originally Posted by labrown

Boxed wine and romance novels. You could occupy a lifetime reading all of the Harlequin series But seriously, I consider my romance and mystery novels (I'm hooked on 50's Perry Mason right now) an honest hobby that most women in the 20th century shared, and that I am glad I won't miss out on by being in a newer generation. I prefer the novels that are around 200 pages so they are quick reads and I like the ones from the 50's to the 80's. It is so funny reading the descriptions of the people and their clothes and hair-do's, and the things they do. I also love the newer Harlequin Flipside series, they are all about modern women in modern cities taking control of their lives, too much fun! What I also love about that hobby is that you can buy them for 10 to 25 cents at a goodwill, salvation army, or half priced books, read them, and then take them back to the store and buy a whole new set. I even pass on the really good ones to my friends. I have hooked a few younger girls on these books. And trust me, I'm only 25, so I can find enjoyment in them being a 20-something in the 21st century, so can you! I love to take them to the pool, too (and the wine)

Something a little more expensive, but I am also a saltwater aquarium enthusiast, and I spend a majority of my time off putting time into my tank. We replaced our entertainment system about a year ago with a 55 gallon aquarium, and I swear I watch it more than I ever watched cable.

Of course you could always get another yorkie

I've never had boxed wine and I've never read these novels, def. something I'll check out!

I want another Yorkie then I don't. I'm afraid if I get another I won't be able to handle her if we ever travel because I do good to handle Lilly haha!

[emilyann]

Originally Posted by yoyo27

Well at first if you are 20 yrs old and bored, I'm shocked. Life has just begun and you aren't interested in anything. And you don't want to work and that is a great place to make friends if you don't have any, besides keeping you busy. Staying at home is a full time job but that is because most of us have families that you have to be doing something as it all piles up. Doing something outside the home is also a way to keep you occupied. Yard to be mowed, doing flower work or landscaping. You have to have something to interest you and it doesn't sound like you have found that yet. You start things and don't finish them as you can't stay focused. There is lots of things to read and get interested in. Volunteer somewhere that you can help someone that needs your help. That might give you great pride to help someone else. Giving is a great way to get some pleasure to see what you can do for someone else. Help out with Elderly that needs help with cleaning or getting groceries. Read to do things for some Elderly in the Nursing Home. Help out with young kids that don't have families that will do things with them. Get involved in your community and see what there is to do.

I know, I'm shocked too. I have friends, just not here. I have 2 friends I still talk to and occasionally hang out with from highschool but I now live about 30 minutes - 1 hour away from both of them. I had friends when I was in beauty school but due to certain circumstances I quit back in February and really am not looking forward to going back due to the crap I had to deal with coming from the school. I've thought about volunteering or doing work by sitting with an elderly person or doing their housework for them (there are different ads in the paper sometimes) I just don't know if you have to be certified in anything.

I'm just hoping that when we move back where we were (we moved here in Feb.) everything will be okay and I'll be able to stay busy more. Where I live now it's just awful, 1 small grocery store and that's it.

[emilyann]

Originally Posted by RowdysMom

It sounds like you don't really know your interests - I think think that's why you don't want to go back to school, you really don't know what you are interested in. I think it's a mistake to not complete your education. What if you have to support yourself in the future, or you and a family. If you have the time and opportunity to go back to school, you really should consider it. At age 51, I found myself the sole support of a husband who became suddenly and unexpected disabled. We have a home and many things that I don't want to lose and he can no longer work. Thank goodness I have an education and a good job to support us.

Also, why don't you take some fun classes, something that you think you might be interested in, e.g., photography, cooking, sewing, floral arranging, etc. It might help you move forward and develop some friends or find things you want to do.

I'd also echo the poster who suggested volunteering - that would be great in your situation. You sound bored and you must find things that give you
pleasure.

Good luck in your search.

No, I definitely know my interests, I was happy when I was in school besides the fact that I had to put up with bull from the school officials everyday. It was doctor orders for me to drop out as they were causing me way too much stress at that point in my life. Since I had such a negative experience, I guess you can say, I haven't really been jumping out of my shoes ready to go back. I mean I definitely will because it's being paid for, I'm just not sure when. I've thought about transferring to a different school but the other one is even farther away and even though it's the same school, you have to pay a $1,000 transfer fee and I'm already giving them more money than I would like.

[emilyann]

Originally Posted by Wigfur

I'm a stay at home mom,but I work from my home as well.I have little "down time" or rest time. ha ha I clean everyday,laundry everyday,attend the gardens everyday,and I have a 5.5 yr old a 7 yr old and Leo. I have laptop which works great for outside time I can work still with my kids playing in the backyard. My daughter is autistic and creates a lot of art and craft work. I'll have to attach a photo of the last thing this lil detail minded child has created. ha ha I love it. I have yet found time to be bored as I am sure MANY stay at home mom's of skin kids have found. I've found staying at home taking care of the kids, the animals and the house is a non stop job.

Photo is a "bird play ground" cyan made with yarn,beads,elbow pasta and glitter.

I love the bird playground!!!! Too cute!

[Bayou Baby]

well, I'm a 29 yr old stay home mommy of 2 girls- a 6yr old, 4yr old and Harley.
For some reason, I put off doing everything housework related to the last minute! But I dabble in jewelry making, pine needle basket weaving, and cross stitch. I also read like a banshee and outread everyone I know. Thus, the other hobbies!
Oh, I lead a sad self life.

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by emilyann

I'm going crazy, haha! I need a hobby or something...

I'm only 20 years old but I stay at home all day every day usually by myself with Lilly. My boyfriend works traveling and he's usually gone 2-3 weeks at a time so I only see him maybe 1 or 2 weekends a month. I don't want a job, I hate working and if I don't have to get one I'm not going to. I was in school but am not really wanting to go back right now.

So, this leads me to an odd question. What do you stay at home people do during the day?

I sew some but I have a low attention span and get bored very easily. We currently live in a small town and I have no friends or family here except his mom and dad. I've thought about scrapbooking but the last scrapbook I started... well that's the thing, I started it, decided I didn't like it so I quit.

HELP LOL!

Sweetie, if I was 20 years old and know then what I know now, I'd be getting my young self into college even if I had to start taking some classes on line. You need to start working on your own carreer so that when that dreaded 62 comes around (and it will hit quicker than you think) your going to need back up to retire in style. Please don't waste your young years doing nothing. I'm not getting on you, I'm speaking to you like a grandmother would. (I have a grandson who is 25). Be independent. Don't rely on someone else's support.

[brunosmom]

Well, I will be 28 later this month. I stay home with my 3 skin kids. 9 yr. old daughter, 8 yr. old son and 5 yr. old daughter. I spend my days taking care of them and our 5 furbutts!! Between cleaning house and breaking up fights I don't know how I have time to breath anymore. Im looking forward to school starting back up next month

[CollegeCutieUSF]

I would start thinking about ways to create your own business. Since you have the internet, you could start online. Pick something you love and go from there. I know a lot of people who make a living just off of their online ebay stores selling stuff from around their house, stuff they find at garage sales, or even selling the $5 DVDs from walmart on ebay to people in foreign contries. There is plenty that you could be doing if you just set your mind too it. You're young, so you have plenty of time to find things to keep yourself busy.

[emilyann]

Originally Posted by CollegeCutieUSF

I would start thinking about ways to create your own business. Since you have the internet, you could start online. Pick something you love and go from there. I know a lot of people who make a living just off of their online ebay stores selling stuff from around their house, stuff they find at garage sales, or even selling the $5 DVDs from walmart on ebay to people in foreign contries. There is plenty that you could be doing if you just set your mind too it. You're young, so you have plenty of time to find things to keep yourself busy.

Oh believe me, I've thought of this... many times. I have somewhat of a strong hand in doing things on the internet (web pages and blogging), I just don't know where or how to start. I've never had enough faith in myself to do something, I have fabric and dog clothing patterns and have had them for almost a year but just don't think I can make it go anywhere. I love quilting too, I've made a huge queen size quilt when I was in highschool and made a baby quilt and had it finished when I was younger.

This is more of a reply I was looking for, thank you for this!

[momof4CA]

I feel for you! It is really hard to to move to a new place and start a new life!!

I have so been in you shoes. I have had to move quite a few times during my marriage and my DH also travels quite a bit for work. I hated moving and I would be absoulately misserable until I decided 'to be happy in my life'. I knew I needed to find happiness for myself. I have four children and I am very active in all of their schools. This allows me to not only be involved in their daily lives, but I also get to know the other parents.

The first thing you should do is to find something that makes you happy and do this everyday... take a walk, workout, read. Then you should find some way to meet other people. If you sit around everday doing nothing, but waiting for your BF to be home...you are not living YOUR life. You need to find ways to make yourself happy.

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Originally Posted by emilyann

Oh believe me, I've thought of this... many times. I have somewhat of a strong hand in doing things on the internet (web pages and blogging), I just don't know where or how to start. I've never had enough faith in myself to do something, I have fabric and dog clothing patterns and have had them for almost a year but just don't think I can make it go anywhere. I love quilting too, I've made a huge queen size quilt when I was in highschool and made a baby quilt and had it finished when I was younger.

This is more of a reply I was looking for, thank you for this!

You're welcome! I know what you mean about not having enough faith in yourself to so something, but that's where all of us at YT come in handy! Try your ideas out on us. I was never any good at sewing, and would get frustrated every time the machine would jam up, but all of the wonderful sewers at YT were there to answer all of my questions. So just give it a shot --you've got nothing to lose except for the money you spent on the material. But seriously though, start small and eventually you'll be able to move on from just selling things on YT, to owning your own online store.

Take it from me-- I've sold blankets, toys and even treats on YT. You never know what you're capable of until you give it a shot.

[paulapoo]

i agree with those who say to finish college. My biggest regret. I never thought I would be 37 and single and having to support myself. It was not in the realm of possibilities. But here I am, trying to pay a mortgage with a trade school education. It's tough. It's always good to have a career to fall back on, just in case...! Good Luck!

[erickajm]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

Sweetie, if I was 20 years old and know then what I know now, I'd be getting my young self into college even if I had to start taking some classes on line. You need to start working on your own carreer so that when that dreaded 62 comes around (and it will hit quicker than you think) your going to need back up to retire in style. Please don't waste your young years doing nothing. I'm not getting on you, I'm speaking to you like a grandmother would. (I have a grandson who is 25). Be independent. Don't rely on someone else's support.

Amen! Sounds like your depressed. I had such a hard time adjusting when I moved from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania. Giving up everything I ever knew was tough! 10 months after the move, I was on anti-depressants!

Its tough but you are so young that I would have gone stir crazy at your age if I didn't work! The one thing that you wrote that kind of made me go ugh...was the fact that it is your boyfriend.....not husband. Not that divorce isn't a reality..but when its a boyfriend/girlfriend kind of thing....I don't know...you need to get out there and see what floats your boat!

The only piece of advice I give to young people like yourself..is GO SEE THE WORLD!!! Had I known what I know now! Traveling isn't...or at least wasn't as expensive as what I had thought...go get a job...who cares where...save up for a few months then go somewhere you have always wanted to go...do this kind of stuff now while your young because one the marriage and kids enter the picture...it just slowly starts becoming harder and harder to do the little things in life.

I agree with volunteering! I did two years with AmeriCorps...you get a living allowance but at the end of your year you get an Educational Award....money towards school....or to pay back school loans! I did my first year at an Area Prevention Resource Center (drug, alcohol, depression, suicide......tons of training that you will never receive in college) and the second year I was with the American Red Cross teaching various classes...not only was this awesome training but looked excellent on the resume!

The possibilities of life enjoyment are limitless...you may very well be the one person stopping you from totally enjoying it! Good luck!