Stay At Home Series- Alex from Peppermint Plum

This week I've been focusing on Stay-At-Home moms.

In case you're just now catching up with the posts here's what I have so far.

A post talking about why I'm doing this little series.

And a second post telling my own personal story about staying at home with my kids.

 Today I've asked Alex from Peppermint Plum to share her own story

and thoughts on staying at home with her little girl. 

I think you'll enjoy it!

Oh! And before I forget!

Make sure to enter her giveaway... I will announce the winner on Friday!

Up for grabs is a print from her shop or a custom invitation!

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        My Story

(the how and why I became a stay at home mom)

        Six years ago, my days consisted of lesson plans, teenagers, and state testing. I had gone

to school, earned my bachelor’s in English, and acquired a job as a high school English

teacher at the school I had graduated from.  I really loved it.  A few years later, about a 

year after getting married, I went back to school and earned my Master’s desgree in

English, hoping that when we started a family, I could find a position teaching online

college classes and stay home with our future littles.  When our little blessing, Daphne Mae, 

made her appearance into the world in May 2011, my husband and I decided that I would stay

home with her.

When my husband and I began dating, we always talked about wanting a “traditional”

kind of family set-up.  One where the husband worked outside of the home and supported 

the family, while the wife took care of the home and children.  Now I know this doesn’t

work for everyone, which is actually really great, because there are so many amazing

women who work outside the home as teachers, doctors, police women, etc, and I am

truly grateful for all of them! 

Although I loved my job as a teacher, when our little one came along, the only job I 

was interested in, was being a mom.  I love getting every smile, every giggle, and every

hug around the neck.  I love teaching her, and watching her learn new things.  I love

having her as my little companion throughout the day; my Target buddy, my lunchtime

conversation. I love being there for everything, but in all honesty,  it’s not all perfect maternal

bliss. There are times when I crave the company of adults, when I need to be creative and 

productive, and times when I need to do something just for me. 

While teaching, I also began dabbling in photography on the side.

I would photograph families that I knew, and I also began designing invitations and holiday 

cards for friends and family.  So when I stopped teaching a year ago, I was able to focus on 

photography and design full time, and by God’s grace, I have been busier than ever.  

Having my humble little photography & design business has been an amazing blessing.  It gives

me the opportunity to be creative, make a little money, and meet new people. 

My tips for new SAHM’s: 

-Take time for yourself each day:  Whether it be before the kids wake up, or after they go 

to sleep, take an hour to relax and do something that is just for you.  Read scripture, pray, do 

some yoga, or watch your favorite show.

- Be productive:  It always helps me to accomplish one thing each day. I clean my house, 

bake a yummy treat, or create something crafty. 

-Get out of the house: at least once a day, get out...it will have a positive impact on both 

you and your kids.

No matter how difficult a day has been, I always feel so incredibly blessed to be able to stay 

home with our baby girl.  

A Day

(in the life of Daphne and me)

6am: I wake up

Waking up even 30 minutes before your little one is a great opportunity to fit in some  exercise, 

coffee & bible study, get work done, or just pray...depending on what your week is like.

7am: Daphne is up

I love getting her little bedhead out of her crib!  We go downstairs and watch Disney Junior for a 

bit...or at least I do; Daphne is usually busy with other things...babies to rock, dancing with Scout...

7:30am: Breakfast

Between Breakfast and AM nap, we play in the living room: read books, play with toys, and when 

the weather is nice (basically just not during summer), we go for a jog.

9:30am: Naptime

This is when I (sometimes) shower for the day, make myself presentable, eat breakfast, work on editing, design orders, blog posts...

11am: Baby is up, get her ready, pack lunch on the go for her and  head out to run  errands. This is 

when we get out of the house. From about 11:30-1:30/2pm, we  might go to My Gym to play, 

meet girl  friends for lunch, head to the park, run errands, go to the zoo, head to the pool, or meet 

other moms and babes for a playdate. It doesn’t have to be something that costs money!  And 

whatever we do, I always make sure I pack plenty of food and water for Daphne while we are out.

2:30-4pm: PM nap

Again, this is when I edit, work on design orders, and blog posts.

4pm-5:30pm: Explore time

Now, to be prefectly honest, this doesn’t always happen, but it is always my intention to do some kind

of developemental activity with Daphne.  We finger paint, do senory activities like a giant bin full of 

dried lentils and beans, color, sidewalk chalk, water activities...pinterest is a wonderful resource for 

finding different developemental activites.

6pm: Dinner time

6:15-7pm: Daddy play time - I clean up the kitchen and pick up the house

7-7:30pm: Bath, book, bedtime

7:30-10pm: The Husband I get some time to hang out, I work on more editing and design orders,

and get my post ready for the next day.