|
|
 |
|
17 Habits of Very Happy Moms
Happy mothers are not afraid to ask for help from family and friends. While morose, martyred moms miss those out-of-town weekends and movie nights with their husband because they can't find a babysitter or a willing relative, Very Happy Moms just say, "Please."
2. Leave the house -- nowHave you been outside today? Fresh air, sunlight, and nature are believed to be critical mood enhancers for women, and moms can get this little lift while pushing strollers or swings. Look around that playground. Who looks happy? Go talk to her, right now.
3. Plan some big funIn my research, I've found that VHMs work really hard to find time and money for vacations. Take away the alarm clocks, the homework, the deadlines...bring on the sunsets, the sand castles, the card games. Suddenly you remember why you spend so much time doing these people's laundry.
4. Get your groove onYou call him "honey," and he calls you "sugar" -- but are you giving each other enough sweetness? Happy moms like getting busy. It'll put a smile on your face. And it's nice to have a Very Happy Husband hanging around.
5. Eat, sleep, and be merryBeing sleep-deprived may be a badge of honor for those with young babies, but the sooner you can figure out how to get your eight hours back, the more delirious with joy you will be. Follow that well-deserved rest with a bowl of oatmeal and a banana instead of three cups of coffee and the remains of somebody's Pop-Tart, and see what happens.
6. Have a six-packI thought the main habit of Very Happy Moms might be popping Prozac, but I asked around and not a single happy mother mentioned drugs. Not even margaritas. Sigh. What they did mention, in droves, was exercise. And of course they're right: Just about equal to how good regular exercise makes us feel is how insidiously the gloom creeps in when we weasel out of it. Fortunately, to a mom, exercise can feel almost self-indulgent -- after all, you're doing something for yourself, in the company of other grown-ups. And that's part of the buzz.
What do you think of this story? Tell Us.
|
Related Links
|
Comments
Please confirm your comment by answering the question below and clicking "Submit Comment."
Working from home so you can enjoy your children is one way to be a Very Happy Mom! I started doing it a few months ago and love it. Some of what is so great is what I don't do...like selling or taking orders. This wellness company is amazing, it's in the business of building relationships...mentoring one another to help reach goals:) If you are interested in earning a little or a lot of extra cash look into essentialconsumption.advancingwithus.com.
4/19/2012 08:56:40 PM Report AbuseThank you for a great article that reminds me how to be more me! Difficult to do as a working mom, but one thing a day will make me better for everyone in my family!
4/19/2012 08:04:23 AM Report AbuseI had to shorten my comment--the "he" reffers to my 2 year old son (not one of the teenagers :)
4/18/2012 02:17:05 PM Report AbuseI'm a single mother of 3 children 2 teenagers He struggled sleeping all night for a long time & now does so in MY bed :)I'm also a zumba instructor teaching a couple nights of week learned that since I'm doing this all alone that is my time to release, to be kid free for a bit & focus on me (and of course the 50+ students behind me). Blessings to all of you moms & especially those that are doing it alone! We have more strength than we know :)
4/18/2012 02:16:20 PM Report Abusecbeta1997: I too am a working mom, and I finally bit the bullet and started to workout in the mornings before anyone else was up (4:30-5:30). I had intentions to do it after the kids were in bed, but was always too tired. It's best just to do it first thing. It was really tough the first few weeks, but it was strange. I actually began to enjoy my solitary workout time, when the house was dark and quiet. It's the best, and I am a happier mom.
4/18/2012 12:29:48 PM Report AbuseAgree with the last comment. So, when exactly do we working moms) work out? Before 5:30 am or after 9:30 pm? I would like some practical advise.Most of the points are doable for SHM.
4/18/2012 11:48:15 AM Report AbuseThis is a wonderful article, my only complaint, it seems that all articles about Mom's are written this way, is that it appears to be addressing SAHM's not the working Mom. Working Mom's have to ask for help we can't be just popping the children in a stroller and taking a walk, we don't always have time for us. Today I was up at 5:30 and won¿t get to sit down until 9:30. We need some practical articles for the full time working Mom that doesn't live within walking distance of home.
4/18/2012 11:27:01 AM Report AbuseWho cares what a mother in law thinks? She's raised her family. I would ignore anything negative or passive aggressive from her. Such a drain.
4/18/2012 10:09:02 AM Report AbuseLove this article! Today is one of those days! I am going to review this article at least weekly if not daily to remind myself to do these things! Thank you...it was much needed!
3/27/2012 04:27:48 PM Report AbuseSimple reminders we forget and so true how the sweet stuff goes away so fast, don't sweat the small stuff enjoy every second of happiness with your little one as well as your breaks.
11/22/2011 03:52:30 PM Report AbuseLove this article! I think we can add to it. What about understanding your value and worth as a mother? I'm a fan of Dr. Meeker and she talks about it in her book (10 Habits of Happy Mothers). Feeling good about your value as a mom helps--the better I feel about how good a mom I am, the better my relationship with my kids is and the happier we both are. It's simple, yes, but it's one of the toughest challenges that moms face.
9/2/2011 10:09:19 AM Report Abusereally great tips! superb! thanks a lot for these!
8/10/2011 01:56:42 PM Report AbuseMy son is 2 and I have only had one job since he was born and only had it for 3 months due to having eye surgery. I was a waitress during midnight hours so my husband could watch our son while I worked. My husbands mother is no longer here with us and his dad works the same hours he does. I do not talk to my dad and my mother lives 13 hours away. friends work or have school so I have no one to babysit. Happyjessmom dont feel like u shouldnt have to ask for help. even superwoman needs help
6/15/2011 05:42:56 PM Report AbuseLoved this article! Thanks for reminding me about the possibility of being a VHM!
6/9/2011 01:04:35 PM Report AbuseI wish I felt okay about asking for help, but my mother in law brags that she NEVER asked anyone for help when HER kids were little. So now I feel like I'm a loser, or inferior, if I ever feel like I need help.
5/17/2011 11:03:08 AM Report AbuseYou saved the absolute best for last. At least in my opinion. I am a hugger! I hug my DH and kids all the time. I know it makes me feel good, and I'm pretty sure that it makes them feel good too!!
12/14/2010 11:15:09 AM Report Abuse