1. Online Selling or Freelance Collaboration
This job is optional for mothers with a knack for sales and a wide network. For those who may not be suited for it, like me, it may not be the best choice. However, for those who can handle it, this role can be done while taking care of your baby. Not only does it reduce the stress from household chores, but it can also provide additional income while at home. Many mothers have earned more from this than from their previous jobs.
But finding a product with high demand and strong sales potential is not easy, especially in a market flooded with sellers. Therefore, mothers should think carefully before diving into this. If any mothers have a talent for writing, they should consider this work as a home-based opportunity. Some online platforms even hire freelance writers to review products. You can select the products you are most knowledgeable and confident about to write articles on them.


2. Creating a Work Plan
While staying at home, you often keep all your plans in your head—doctor’s appointments, monthly bill payments, and so on. This can drive you crazy with the overwhelming number of tasks and not knowing where to start. It’s best to keep a notebook where you can write down everything you need to do, organize and prioritize tasks based on time and importance. Not only does this help during your time at home, but having a plan for yourself also makes it easier to succeed in other areas of your life.
Moreover, the goal of having a work plan as a mother is to clearly outline the changes you'll experience once you become a parent, take care of your baby, and return to work. Breastfeeding should be a priority since it helps your baby get sick less often, alleviating many concerns. Following scientific guidelines on baby care, such as debunking myths about hair loss, delayed teeth growth, and excessive sweating, as well as understanding baby-led weaning, engaging in playtime, and fostering cognitive development, will be crucial.


3. Organize Your Surroundings and Build Healthy Habits
Studies have shown that being in a disorganized environment can increase stress, particularly for women. Unless you are completely unaffected by chaos, the advice is to tidy up your home and place frequently used items in their designated spots. This way, you can easily grab them when needed and avoid the frantic search for misplaced objects.
Developing habits like waking up early, exercising, and eating well is key. Write down everything you need to do regularly, and gradually form these habits in a structured way throughout the day. Over time, these positive routines will become second nature, and following them will feel effortless. For example, a good morning routine for a mother may include drinking a warm glass of water, exercising, preparing food, starting the laundry, and tidying the bedroom.


4. Make time for yourself and live authentically
At home, most of your time is spent taking care of your child—feeding, bathing, comforting, and playing. While it's natural to devote time to your child, dedicating time to yourself is even more important, especially to alleviate the stress of being at home. To create space for yourself, you could choose a gym with childcare services, ask a relative to watch your child, or rest when your child is asleep (instead of trying to squeeze in other tasks). Remember, neglecting your own time will worsen your condition.
Many mothers face postpartum sadness, depression, and anxiety. This situation can become more serious when these mothers try to hide their worries. If this continues, it can become a heavy burden. Concealing their struggles also makes it difficult for family members to understand the challenges they are facing. The best solution is for mothers to release their emotions, share their difficulties with those who care about them, and seek timely support. This will help reduce the burden and improve their mental well-being.


5. Plan your weekly and monthly menu
New mothers is a term increasingly used in daily life. The phrase itself captures its meaning – it refers to mothers who have recently given birth or are in the early stages of caring for their infants. At this point, their lives revolve around taking care of their child, and the essentials that accompany them daily are diapers and milk. Thus, people often use the imagery of diapers and milk to refer to these women who hold the sacred role of motherhood.
Nothing is more frustrating than a new mother constantly asking, 'What should I cook today?' Many dislike this question, but what's even more bothersome is the process of creating a meal plan. However, you should understand that this method not only saves money but also gives you more time to rest, relax, or even pamper yourself to reduce stress.


6. Get enough sleep and exercise daily
Many mothers experience stress after childbirth due to constantly taking care of their child, with little opportunity for deep sleep or enough rest. To reduce stress, mothers should prioritize getting sufficient sleep. While caring for a child can be time-consuming, it’s important to remember that fathers also need to share the responsibility of caring for their children. Additionally, breastfeeding mothers should aim to exercise regularly, such as by taking daily walks.
Walking is not only a great form of physical exercise but also an effective way to relieve stress. For mothers experiencing postpartum stress, carving out time in the morning or evening for a walk can help relax the body and ease tension. You don’t need long walks—just 15 to 30 minutes daily will do. Ideal walking locations include open, shaded areas with plenty of greenery to avoid direct sunlight.


7. Meet with friends and laugh a lot
When mothers feel overwhelmed and exhausted from caring for their children, they should step outside and meet with friends. Socializing with friends can lift their spirits, ease anxiety, and help them relax. Moreover, these conversations often provide valuable advice that can benefit the process of caring for a newborn.
There is a Vietnamese saying, 'A smile is worth ten doses of medicine.' Smiling is the key to maintaining a healthy body. Research from Oxford University has shown that just forcing a smile, even when feeling down, can improve your mood as the body releases endorphins. Additionally, in many cases, laughing has been proven to be an effective pain reliever.


8. Create Handmade Crafts
Making handmade crafts is not just a choice for new mothers, but for many people in general. Items like embroidered paintings, artificial flowers, photo frames, notebooks, and bracelets are some great ideas for mothers to decorate their homes or even start a small business. Whether it's embroidery, envelope folding, or simply crocheting baby items, these tasks become enjoyable and easy for crafty mothers.
This hobby not only helps moms make the most of their free time but also adds extra money to their wallets. Recently, new trends in handmade crafts like ribbon embroidery and baby cradle decorations have become popular, attracting many women. However, these tasks require patience, precision, and skill. If any moms are also skilled in cooking, they could consider making cakes and dried foods to sell online.


9. Planting and Caring for Flowers and Plants
Planting flowers and decorative plants inside the home can help eliminate harmful toxins and filter out fine dust in the air. Some plants naturally absorb carbon dioxide and provide oxygen around the clock, which can improve our sleep quality. Growing flowers not only brightens a mother's mood, reduces post-pregnancy stress, and enhances the living space, but it can also provide a significant source of income.
Moms can opt for easy-to-grow, compact, charming, and versatile plants that can be displayed on dining tables, living rooms, bedrooms, or reading spaces. Once these eye-catching products are ready, introduce them to friends and family or use social media platforms to promote them to a wider audience and boost sales.


10. Talk to Your Child Like a Friend
Many mothers feel stressed and overwhelmed when the time spent caring for their child occupies almost the entire day. Additionally, the erratic schedule of the baby can lead to exhaustion and feelings of helplessness. Therefore, creating a routine for caring for your child is an effective strategy to ease this tension. It’s also helpful if your partner or family members can assist in taking care of the baby so that the mother has more time to rest. While some moms may think that running an online business or opening a store is the best solution, in reality, talking to your child is a highly effective approach. It brings unexpected benefits for both you and your little one.
Firstly, even though your child is too young to understand the words you say, sharing your daily stories with them can provide you with the emotional outlet you need. Your baby may only smile, blink, or wave their hands and feet, but speaking out loud will lighten your heart. Secondly, frequent communication with your baby will greatly aid their development, particularly in language skills. Your baby will become more aware and confident than their peers.


11. Join Moms' Support Groups
No matter what job you have, you always want to share your work with people who understand you. This is where moms' support groups and forums for mothers can be incredibly beneficial. Joining such groups not only provides a platform for buying and selling but also enriches your life with valuable experiences. This is especially important for those who are pregnant or raising young children.
By participating in these groups, you can exchange advice on parenting, family dynamics during child-rearing, and self-care tips from other mothers. Whether offline or online, these gatherings can significantly reduce the pressures you face during this period, help you raise your child healthily, and foster a greater sense of love for yourself and your family. Some great groups to explore include: The Breastfeeding Moms Group, Betibuti, and more.


12. Read books or write a journal about your child
Many mothers think this is impossible. However, it can be done if you manage your time effectively. Just like talking to your child, this activity will benefit both of you. Choose a book you love or a children's story and read while your child is napping or playing alone. Even if your child doesn't understand, their brain is absorbing some information and developing a love for books from an early age.
You can also take this time to document precious moments of your child. Record daily stories like their sleep, spontaneous laughter, or milestones like their first rollover. Over time, you'll have a collection of stories to give them as a priceless gift in the future. Some mothers have even created entire books based on these stories. You can read 'Mother's Heart' by Hoai Anh for inspiration. Even if you don't publish a book, the memories you collect will be a treasure for your child. Writing, just like speaking, is also an excellent way to relieve stress.


