4 Tips To a Calm, Happy Motherhood

“I am so exhausted at the end of the day, I often wonder if I can survive another day.” “I love my kids, but they push all my buttons and I end up more stressed!” “This year, I resolve to have a regular Me-time!” These are just a few of the typical concerns mothers raise up on their motherhood.

You mothers out there are superwomen! You are the first one up every morning and the last one to turn in every night. That is why to help out mothers out there balance their priorities and provide quality time and effort to what values them the most, here are four tips to follow to keep your level of enthusiasm, energy and patience from depleting

1. Thirty minutes

Daily “Me-time” can be anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours. You can maybe take a power nap, read a chapter or two of your favorite book, do an energizing workout/exercise, take a leisurely bath or even spend a quiet time in prayers. Some mothers use the time to paint, write in their journal, work on their hobby or touch base with their distant loved ones. This could also be your girlfriend ‘bonding’ lunch time. It is essential to block off this time in your schedule because this is your appointment with yourself.

2. Don’t solve everything

Seasons of our lives do happen. They impact our time and can can affect us, confusing us. Young married women for instance, tend to have less Me-time because of the demands of young children. A working mom gunning for promotion will require more time at work to establish credibility. Women with older children necessitate more ‘face to face’ for bonding time to deal with growing-up issues. It’s important to accept the “usual” in each season rather than fretting for these will just pass by. Doing so will you more inner peace. Lessen the ‘expectations’ and do what is best at the moment. Just know when the season ends though. Deal with the blows as they come.

3. It’s okay not to do things

To-do lists are never ending. It’s like the mythical hydra. You cut off one of its heads, and three more grow back. Experts say that it’s okay to list down everything, just don’t dwell on them. Yes, as mothers, you juggle a lot of ‘life balls’. Yet even experience jugglers say that they still do drop balls when they perform. Perhaps, what’s just key to note on this is, just make sure you don’t drop the precious balls!

4. Cut back

Since there are no perfect formula for perfect parenting, just look at each day as a game: How do I get all the necessary tasks I need to for the day? Enjoy the process and learn from your mistakes. There is always another day to do better. While multitasking is admirable, yet it is not always the best solution especially for working moms. It is important to be firm and single-minded when it comes to taking care of our personal needs, everyday chores, other priorities and family. Everything else is secondary. Remember, a happy and calm mom equates a happy and calm family.

Source: Working Mom, November 2013 Issue

Photo above: The best and happiest moms aren’t doing things better…They may even be doing less (Image Credit: roelresources.com)