Being a stay-at-home parent is a full-time job with zero clock-out time, no PTO and a whole lot of unseen effort. We see you, and so does fellow parent and content creator Danielle Hutchinson, which is why she wrote an open letter to SAHMs with the words you didn’t know you needed. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, overlooked or are just in need of a little pep talk, this one’s for you.

I thought I knew what to expect when I made the decision to stay home with my daughter. I knew it would be fulfilling, that I would cherish the time with her, and that it would be different from my career. But what I didn’t expect was just how much I would miss working at times, even though I loved being with her more.

I also wasn’t prepared for how isolating it could feel. You imagine playdates and slow mornings, but the reality is that some days feel like you’re on autopilot. Wake up, breakfast, play, nap (or no nap), repeat. And then there’s balancing grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning, and everything else it takes to keep a household running. Some days, I never left the house and that is when I struggled the most.

What really helped me was shifting my mindset – reminding myself that I am in charge of my days and finding gratitude in the fact that I get to be home with my daughter, something I longed for when I was working. But beyond that, I realized how important it was to get out of the house every day, even if it was just for a short walk. Finding playgroups, going to library story time, and exploring new parks has also made a huge difference for me and helped break up the monotony.

Here’s one of the best pieces of advice I received: do the things that bring you joy and bring your kids along. Remember, not every activity has to revolve around them. If there is something you love whether it’s grabbing a coffee or checking out a Farmer’s Market – do it. Kids adapt, and sometimes, they even enjoy tagging along more than we expect.

If you’re in the thick of it, feeling stuck in the monotony or just craving a little more for yourself, know that you’re not alone. And know that it is okay to find ways to make this season of life feel good for you, too.

You are doing an amazing job!

Interested in contributing to our next open letter or being featured in our upcoming newsletter? We’re always excited to share authentic stories from our community of parents. Reach out to [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you!