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What About Me?

Facts, Stats and Support from Family and Home Network

Discussion Board: Our discussion board includes a forum for subscribers to share experiences and tips for finding time for yourself and enjoying the rewards of motherhood - open to subscribers only (click here to subscribe).

Featured Articles

Online articles featured from our monthly magazine, Welcome Home, offering personal accounts of the sometimes difficult transition from full-time employment to full-time motherhood. Excerpts are provided below.

Depth by Nancy Vazquez

"I drew heavily from that account, as I struggled with the fatigue, the tedium and the isolation of my first months at home. Later, when my son was a little older, he had a Disney sing-along video and one of his favorite parts was when the Seven Dwarfs, working down in the mine, would sing “Dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig.” That’s how it was for me when I hit a rough patch, a place where I felt I was simply not fit for the job of being my son’s mother..." Full Article

Erasable Me by Nancy Vazquez This article can only be accessed by subscribers.

"Some days I think motherhood has erased me. In two-and-a-half years of mothering my son, I've lost so much. My career, or at least my pretense of a career, disappeared first as I realized no one else could care for my son the way I could. As a result of my decision to stay home, my career wardrobe soon worked its way to the back of my closet. For a while I made an effort to wear something other than Jeans, T-shirts, and tennis shoes, but I learned better. The last time I put on my expensive suede flats, my son promptly threw up on them. I've also stopped trying to zip up my once-favorite skirt; I mourn the loss of my waistline. I gave up necklaces and dangling earrings when my son, Carlos, reached the grabbing stage, and I abandoned trying to watch adult TV when he discovered Sesame Street." Full Article

Winter Escapes for Moms by Deborah Baker.

"A few years ago, when I was about halfway through my second Pacific Northwest winter, I realized I needed a warm, sunny vacation. My husband was working long hours and commuting, I had a baby and a four-year-old, and the rainy, gray skies were finally getting to me. Steve and I talked it over and decided to look into vacation spots, but after some Internet browsing, we quickly realized that a warm vacation in winter was not going to fit into our one-income budget. I tried to remain upbeat, even as I watched many of our friends venture off to all sorts of exotic places and return tan and recharged. We took a short vacation nearby, which was fun and helped a little. But with winter lingering, I knew I needed something more once we got back to our routine." Full Article

The Bad Days by Linda Burton. This article can only be accessed by subscribers.

"There is a Greyhound bus in my imagination, which I dream of taking on the bad days at home. On the moderately bad days, I plan speeches and theatrical exits. But on the awful days, all I want to do is quietly, in an ordinary sort of way, tell my family that I am going to the store for a loaf of bread; then walk out the door, drive carefully and purposefully to the Greyhound bus station, and never even look back." Full Article

Problems & Solutions

The "Problems" and their solutions are provided by the readers of Welcome Home. This column appears monthly in the journal.

Coping With Feelings of Isolation

Post Partum Depression

Keeping Up With Housework -- and Still Have Time to Play

Responding to the Question, "...and what do you do, Mrs. __?"

The solutions to the following problems are only available to subscribers of Welcome Home in the Subscribers Section.

"Best of" Collections Published by Mothers At Home

Clicking on the links below will take you to our reprints section where you can find the ordering information for the following collections. A few collections have on-line excerpts. Most collections cost less than $4.

Loneliness in Marriage: When Husbands Travel: Are you worn out from being a single parent while your husband is on the road?  This reprint is designed for mothers who may feel alone and need empathy as well as suggestions for coping with the added stress they face while Dad is away from home for extended periods of time.

Essence of At-Home Mothering "Best of" Collection. Collection include the following topics: What About You?, What Do You Do All Day?, The Bad Days, Is Homemaking an Affordable Choice, Why I'm Still at Home.

Mothering and Self-Esteem. We at-home mothers often may not feel particularly upbeat about ourselves or the work we do. Large portions of our days may be relegated to mundane tasks, and the praises we receive for a job well done often are few and far between. If you're feeling down in the dumps and need some perspective, our "Mothers and Self-Esteem" collection is a must-have. You'll gain great insights from 13 women who offer advice to a mom who describes herself as "in a rut." Joanne Bruun's article, "Self-Esteem: Ours for the Thinking," identifies ways in which some moms fall into the negative self-esteem trap, and provides pragmatic suggestions for taking a more positive approach to life. Finally, if you need a pat on the back, you'll chuckle reading Kirsten Levorson's article, "Accolades," with a special commendation for our mothering skills.

Looking Good, Feeling Great (Dressing Well on a Limited Budget).  If you're tired of wearing worn jeans and baggy sweatshirts, you'll enjoy the practical and economical tips for improving your appearance offered in this reprint.  The reprint also contains an article with tips for finding bargains at thrift shops.

Cries in the Night:  Helping Mothers Survive Sleep Loss.  If you can't seem to get enough sleep to soothe your soul, our sleep loss reprint is just for you.  Written with the special needs of mothers in mind, this reprint offers suggestions to moms for coping with their own sleep loss, and identifies resources for helping children sleep through the night.

Light at the End of the Tunnel (Depression).  Imagine a creeping darkness that slowly consumes your life--your very being. Welcome Home writer Debbie Moynihan describes how isolation and the demands of single-parenting while her husband pursued a higher degree brought her to utter despair.  You'll learn how Debbie found peace, as well as helpful information and resources on the topic of depression.

Why So Blue?  (Postpartum Depression).  If you're surprised by the sad feelings that have accompanied you with the arrival of your baby, our PPD reprint may provide just the lift you need.  You'll also learn more about the various forms of PPD and receive an extensive list of support organizations and publications.  The reprint also contain the personal account of one mother who was successfully treated over an extended period of time for a severe and debilitating bout with PPD.  A must-read for any new mother who is afraid to reveal the overpowering sadness she feels. 

Books

Discovering Motherhood