My husband deceded after our second child was born I was going to stay at home with the two boys. I'm just looking for ideas on how to save money, things to do with my children (2 years and 2 months) and just some suggestions anything you have will be much appreciated. Thank you very much in advance!
2006-12-06 02:54:01 · 11 answers · asked by bbear20 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Hold up hold up....it was a mutual decision. I was trying to help the two year old when I was typing this sorry for leaving out that detail. Take it easy we decided together.
2006-12-06 03:04:34 · update #1
I am a stay at home mom of a wonderful son who will be 3 on Saturday (yay). I am SO happy I have decided to be a stay at home mom. The bond I have with my son is amazing. I was always afraid that I would miss his first steps or crawling because he would be at daycare. Thankfully I missed NOTHING.
There is not much you can do with a 2 month old right now. Tummy time is WONDERFUL. Lay him on his stomach on a nice warm blanket or floor with toys (ones that light up or sing are best). This will also give you a bit of free time to sit with your oldest son (right next to baby) and read a book.
I am providing a link to a question similar to yours that I answered. It is quite long and full of well explained ideas. There are even links. It was chosen as best answer so I think you would really get some great ideas from it.
Another really nice thing to do...take your son to the local pet store. Our local pet store welcomes toddlers and children to come in and sit in a small caged area (so the animals don't escape) and play with the puppies, kitten, rabbits, you name it. (I personally don't suggest the rats lol although they offer eek) We are regulars to the pet store. They actually greet us by name. My son LOVES to go. The animals get much needed exercise and one on one time and it is time that wiil just leave you in awe.
Congrats.
2006-12-06 05:45:29 · answer #1 · answered by Summer H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your HUSBAND decided? Shouldn't this be a mutual decision?
Maybe you can try to start a little home-based business. Make gift baskets if your crafty, do home transcription if you are a great typist.
Go to different coupon sites and stock up on the ones that you will use. Take advantage of store sales. If they have a great price on meat, buy more than you will need and freeze the rest for later use.
Hmmm... what else? If you own a sewing machine, you can learn how to make your own children's clothes to save on buying new ones. Hey, if you get really good at it, you could SELL children's clothes!
Get your children active. I understand that there isn't much you can do with a two month old baby, but take your 2 year old for a walk and put the infant in his stroller. It helps to wear out your little tyke, and I know better than anyone that you need the excercise if your little one is only 2 months!
2006-12-06 03:00:46 · answer #2 · answered by ilovejolie86 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Go to the library for story time. It's free and they have a class for each age group and at our library, all siblings are welcome in all classes. They do a story, sing songs, do a craft etc. Then we get a couple books or movies to check out. It's fun. You can also do Gymboree if you have one nearby. It's expensive but really fun too! They will let you try a class for free. You can do family gymboree (for siblings) or you can just put your youngest in a carrier while you do the class with your oldest. My kids are the same age separation as yours, they are 4 and 2 now. Buy some craft supplies to make stuff at home with your kids too...for example, yesterday I cut out Christmas trees from green paper and I gave them crayons, stickers (I got some that look like decorations), and those sparkly puffy balls and we made Christmas trees. One thing about being a stay at home mom, it's easy to get bored at first, make sure you get out a little and meet friends that stay home and stuff like that. Also, it's easy to spend more money if you go out and shop a lot. So try and think of things to do other than the mall etc. We go to the park a lot, go for walks, the library, friends houses, chick-fil-a (they have a play area). Anyway, good luck! I work part time just to get out a little bit. Make sure you get some "me time" or you'll go insane!
2006-12-06 03:06:37 · answer #3 · answered by Mada 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Staying at home is saving money, do you realize how expensive day care is???
As you are out and about, price check the local grocery stores. I saved 200 a month by changing stores.
Don't get your nails done.
The park is fun... when it's warm
I set up a playground in an underused area of our home. My son loves it because he has his toys and can run and throw balls and it's baby friendly... and free.
Get the baby toys from thrift stores, just wash them well before having the kids handle them.
When you need your hair done, try going to a beauty school. They are cheaper because students do it (or supercuts is good)
Before you spend, just think, do we really need it, or can we go without it.
Enjoy this time with them!... My baby girl just turned 16
:-(
It happens so fast!
2006-12-06 03:05:30 · answer #4 · answered by my-kids-mom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I save money with coupons. I clip the paper every week. Another thing you can do is buy off brand items, even groceries. The last thing to do is watch your utilities. Call your utlitities and ask them what they suggest to lower and maintain your bills. If you have lots of extras on entertainment like HBO's or anything drop them down to the essentials. Place your monthly bills and see where you can make adjustments. A good bill planner helps.
2006-12-06 03:00:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a three and a half year old and a two year old. we have fun by going to the park, art projects, play groups, trips to the mall to the indoor play ground in there. sometimes we go to the craft stores to by stuff to do together they love all the colors. we take walks play games inside. they have a v-smile we play with that also we work on workbooks for spelling and abc and math which they love they call it school time. very fun. i also have them help with the cleaning (they get in the way more then they help) but its fun just the same for them. They take naps and play nice with each other for like half an hour each day. good luck and have fun.
2006-12-06 02:59:11 · answer #6 · answered by littleluvkitty 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Playing with your boys well be good for them. With the 2 year old start with books that have different shapes or animals so on. Anything to keep is little mind going and thinking and it will help him when he gets in school.
2006-12-06 03:01:15 · answer #7 · answered by amy61283 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
clip coupons, buy off brands. take the kids for walks , play in the yard or take to the park. Get out and meet other stay at home moms and make play dates.
2006-12-06 02:56:22 · answer #8 · answered by party_pam 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am a stay at home mom of 2 and we play games and read alot. or go outside and play. I dont usually take them anywhere but the park.
2006-12-06 02:56:30 · answer #9 · answered by kristinad21 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could always use a friend ( one that has kids) it is always helpful for me ( mother of 2)( stay at home mom since march 2003)
2006-12-06 02:59:34 · answer #10 · answered by Moony Black 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋