Since the day I quit my job to become a full-time stay at home mama to our daughter, the questions haven't stopped rolling in...

"Don't you get bored being at home all day long?"

"You only go to town TWICE a month?!"

"How do you not go crazy being 'stuck' with your kids all day?"

I usually just smile and laugh, but there truly is a method to my madness.

While I am in NO way claiming to have the perfect stay-at-home mom existence, (if you visit me on some days, you'll find me wearing a stained sweatshirt, a toddler with a messy face, floors covered in dog hair, and dirty diapers sitting on my washing machine...) I honestly and truly enjoy my life as a homemaker and mama.

Today I want to share four ways that I maintain my sanity as a stay-at-home mom.

(Please note: In no way is this post meant to condemn or judge mothers who work outside of the home. This post is simply offered as encouragement for moms who are in the trenches of stay-at-home motherhood.)

1. Embrace Your Calling

It's very common for stay-at-home moms (SAHM) to feel like their job isn't important as a profession outside of the home. After all, changing diapers and scraping scrambled eggs off the floor isn't exactly glamorous...

Instead of looking outside your windows and worrying about the 'exciting' things other people are doing (which probably aren't as exciting as you think...) take this opportunity to embrace your calling.

As a SAHM, no one will have a greater influence on your child than you will, and shaping lives is one of the most important jobs of all.

2. Get Out of the House (but not too much)

I live 35 miles from town in a very rural area. Our winters are very long and brutal, and I've experienced more than one bout of serious cabin fever.

You would be amazed at how quickly my perspective changes when I can simply get out of the house for a couple hours. We come back refreshed and ready to face the rest of the week. If you fight cabin fever tendencies, try planning a fun trip to town, the library, a friend's house, or a church event.

The flip side of this is getting out of the house TOO much, which can also make you crazy... :) So, try to keep it in balance.

3. Find a Creative Outlet

As moms, it seems like we give, give, and give some more. It might not seem like there is any time left for yourself, but I encourage you to make some.

When I can express myself through some sort of creative outlet, even for just a couple of hours per week, I am so much happier. My outlets are repurposing old furniture, blogging, and homestead activities.

Your outlets might be something totally different, but regardless, find something that makes you happy and make it a point to do it at least once per week.

4. Ask HIM for Help

The most important tool we have as SAHMs is the ability to ask for grace and strength to get through each day. There is no need to attempt to "do it all" on our own power when God has freely offered us His help if we simply ask.

"But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. "

2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version)