I have learned so much about being a happy mom. I’ve been hard on myself and my parenting skills. I’ve cried. I’ve laughed. I’ve had meltdowns. I’m at the point now where I can go with the flow. And remember that I only get 18 years with my kids. That’s it, only 18 and I want them to remember those years as years where I was mostly a happy mom. Here are a few tips I’ve found to work to help you be a happy mom too.
The day in the life of a mother can be crazy right?! I know you’re nodding your head right now. You’ve been there.
But no matter the how many times I want to rip my hair out late nights and worry there’s one thing we have in common. We’re happy to be moms. I have no idea what kind of person I’d be if I wasn’t a mom.
(I’d like to think I’d be fit and fabulous. Traveling the world and doing all the things you dream about when you’re at home with kids like: using the bathroom alone, going shopping alone and having time to drink hot coffee while silence surrounds you.)
Anyways, I totally got off track…
Here are 7 secrets of a happy mom
A happy mom is optimistic
Having a positive attitude WILL change your day. And if you’re happy that happiness will rub off on your kids and family. If you’re not a naturally positive person (I’m raising my hand right now) you can change that. Read through my positivity series, it’s helping me!
One quick tip I have that can change your whole day is wake up and glam up! Get ready. Do your makeup. Do your hair. This might mean you have to wake up one hour before your kids or you might have to skip skimming through FB and instagram first thing, but it’s worth it and you’ll feel good for the day.
A happy mom makes time for self-care
Time for yourself is important. You need time to recharge. This doesn’t count if you’re in the shower alone (shocker right!) but you can still hear your three year old SCREAMING in the living room because she just has to be in the bathroom while you shower. This is not alone time. And it’s not very relaxing.
My daughter goes to a daycare program three days a week. While she’s at daycare I’ll work and get shopping done. Once in awhile I’ll plan something I want to do and go out and do it! Not going to lie I still feel (a little bit) guilty but I need time for me! Whether it’s shopping, planning a lunch date with a friend or just taking a nap at home without anyone to worry about—make time for YOU.
A happy mom encourages kindness
Teaching children to be kind and compassionate builds character and sets children up for success. Being a rude and mean person who is quick to jump all over anyone that looks at you funny doesn’t get your very far in life. In fact, I don’t spend any of my time with people like that.
My son who is almost 11 is such a kind person. He takes after my husband with his attitude and I love that. When he’s at school or we’re out around other kids I don’t ever worry that he’ll make fun of kids or bully them. I can count on Dom to include others and follow rules. This makes my life SO much easier!
A happy mom can do what makes her feel happy…. without feeling guilty
*SIGH* Again with the feeling guilty thing right? Why is it hard for us moms to not feel guilty when doing things for ourselves? Things that make me happy are: drinking a good glass of wine, spending alone time with my husband, reading a good book, getting all glammed up, spending time with friends.
Doing things that make me happy, keep me happy. If I’m happy I can spread that carefree attitude to my family.
Try to do at least one thing that makes you happy every day. Does this mean you’ll be drinking a good glass of wine each night? 😉 I’m right there with ya!
A happy mom can leave dirty dishes in the sink {sometimes}
I like a clean home. A clean home makes me feel like things are clear and ready to go. Sometimes though, I just leave it all for the next day… Instead of cleaning the kitchen I’ll craft with the kids. Or veg out on the couch with my husband (his love language is quality time) and binge watch Netflix shows.
Yes, it sucks waking up the next morning to a dirty sink full of dishes. Know what doesn’t suck? My kids and husband know they are more important than a clean house and they know that I genuinely want to spend time with them.
A happy mom will pray/meditate/ or make room for quiet time daily
There are days I pray for patience. I probably don’t pray enough (if I’m being honest) but I can say that I have a lot of faith in my spirituality.
And in my KNOWING and ACCEPTING that 1. Every lil’ things gonna be all right & 2. Everything works out for my ultimate good. And I have learned to let go of so many things of which I have no control over. It’s freeing.
Some days I realize I haven’t said one prayer, have not done even 1 minute of meditation, those nights before bed I do a gratitude list in my head.
A happy mom strives to be authentic
Playing the comparison game (where you’re constantly comparing yourself to that pinterest-perfect mom–if she even exists) is exhausting and harmful.
Be yourself. People like you for who you are not who you want to pretend to be.
I don’t pretend I’m the perfect mom and wife and if you follow me on Instagram or if you’ve read this post, you’ll see I am a real mom working on being a better person every day.
A few things I’m working on:
- yelling less
- more patience for my family
- time-wasters–aka social media and looking up random crap on the internet. Have you ever googled “cat peeing on car fuses?” A stray cat keeps peeing on the computer part of my van and making my van not want to start. It’s very inconvenient and ugh…..yeah. I sat in my driveway for 15 mins reading the forums that came up for this search. Seems like a lot of cats like to pee on computers (like laptops and desktops) just one more reason I am a dog-lover and would NEVER take in a cat.
- getting back into a cleaning routine, I’ve recently admitted I’m a hoarder and need to get rid of so much junk!
- investing time and energy (and lots of LOVE) into my marriage. I recently came across two blogs Intimacy in Marriage and #StayMarriedblog Both blogs have opened my eyes about marriage and I highly recommend you visit each blog and read a few posts.
Here’s the biggest secret…..
Happy moms are not always happy. We all have our days. Some days will be better than others.
There’ll be days where you can’t figure out why you should even get out of bed.
Then you’ll have mornings where you CAN’T WAIT to start your morning, run your business, take care of your family.
Keep believing in your personal happiness.
We were designed to be moms and we hold so much power.
Let’s keep encouraging each other to use that power wisely.
You may also like
7 EASY WAYS TO BE A POSITIVE MOM
5 TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH KIDS
What do you do that makes you happy every day? Leave a comment and let me know!
Ps. If you’re looking for stylish kid clothing at affordable prices check out Fab Kids.
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Each week I'll send you the latest Resource Page. In it, you'll find
- Handy tips for focusing on positivity throughout your week.
- Tricks for getting your kids to listen to your every word (just kidding,Girl-- I'm still working on getting my kids to listen!) But I will send you fun activity ideas for you and your kids to do together.
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Love this! It’s so true some days are so hard to see past the first hour and others it’s like super mom going going going! But it is all rewarding at some point, no matter the day!
Thank you Chelsea!
Great blog! Thanks for the advice
Loved reading this! You are so right! God bless you and your beautiful family!
Thank you Arlin! 🙂
Great to read, love your humble personality …. high5 to us moms
Thank you Susie! 🙂
Love this! This is exactly my experience as a mom. I love how real you are and how freely you share your experiences and thoughts, it is truly a blessing for me to know I am not the only person who feels this way as a mom.
Hi Maria, your comment made my day, thank you for taking time to write me!
Wow I feel so happy to know I’m not alone in feeling this way. I am a mom of two (4 yr & 3month old) and the past couple of weeks I have been quite unhappy and I know my negativity affects my family. I’m excited to try some of these tips. reading this has definitely changed my perspective and your honesty was inspiring. Thank you! Peace&love to you and your family
Sam, thank you so much for leaving a comment and I am so glad you can resonate with my post!
Love this! It resonates so much to where I’m at in my mom life right now. Some days are better than others and I just feel that I’m trying to survive each day.
This really touched my heart! Thank you. I truly needed this
You are very welcome and I am glad to hear it!
Hello! I am speaking on behalf of Gabrielle Howard, CEO of Just Like Mee clothing. A brand designed for our everyday lives while inspiring and motivating our little ones to be like You. We have social events, and frequently post advice & tips for mothers and their children. Would we be able to use this blog post as a reference?
Sure. You can share a link and a snippet if you’d like.