Being a mom is hard. It’s one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs in the world, but it can be tough to find happiness sometimes. Between balancing work and home life, taking care of kids, and trying to squeeze in some time for yourself, it’s no wonder that so many moms feel stressed out! Let’s discuss 25 tips for how to be a happy mom. These tips will help you manage your time better, maintain your sanity, and find joy in your everyday life!
It’s hard to be happy all the time
Although most of us want to be happy moms, it’s unrealistic to expect to be happy 100% of the time! Hard things happen. Life is stressful. Every single mother will have a bad day here and there. The trick is finding the things that can help you be happy most of the time.
Happy moms don’t:
We are going to talk about the many things you can do to help yourself be happy. But before we get into that, let’s discuss a couple of things that happy mom’s don’t do.
Happy moms don’t compare themselves to other moms
One of the quickest ways to kill your happiness is to compare yourself to other mothers. Maybe you see another mom who seems to have it all together. She has a great job, a beautiful home, and perfect kids. It’s easy to look at that mom and think, “Why can’t I have that?” But the truth is, we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. That mom might be struggling with her own issues that you know nothing about. So instead of comparing yourself to other moms, focus on your own happiness.
Happy moms don’t try to do it all
Another thing happy moms don’t do is try to do it all. It’s impossible to be a supermom! You can’t have a successful career, be a perfect wife, and take care of your kids 24/seven. Something has to give. So instead of trying to do it all, focus on what’s most important to you and let the rest go. Prioritizing is the key to finding joy in motherhood.
How to be a happy mom
Happiness is tricky. It can feel fleeting and elusive at times. But there are things you can do to help yourself be a happy mom. Here are 25 tips for how to be a happy mom:
Acknowledge Happiness When You Have It
How often do you spend your time wishing for happiness when there are tiny moments every single day that are happy? To help yourself acknowledge the little moments of daily happiness, keep a happiness journal that your write in every day. Each evening, write down three things from your day that made you happy.
Label Emotions
When you’re feeling down, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what you’re feeling. But if you take the time to label your emotions, it will be easier to deal with them. For example, instead of thinking “I’m feeling really awful right now,” try “I’m feeling frustrated because I can’t seem to get anything done.” In contrast, label the good too! “I’m feeling so content right now,” or “I’m feeling really proud of myself.”
Breathe
When you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, take a few deep breaths. Breathing deeply can help you relax and clear your mind. It’s a simple happiness tip, but it can make a big difference!
Need ideas for breathing exercises? Read: Breathing Exercises for Kids
Ask for help
One of the best things you can do for your happiness is to ask for help when you need it. Whether you need help with your kids, your job, or just day-to-day tasks, don’t be afraid to reach out to family and friends. Delegating will lighten your load and make you happier in the long run.
If you don’t have a support system you can trust, prioritize paid help when possible. Even if that just means paying a neighbor to watch the kids while you get a nap!
Leave the house
When you’re feeling down, it can be tempting to stay in bed all day and watch TV. But that’s not going to make you any happier. Instead, try to get out of the house every day, even if it’s just for a short walk around the block. Getting some fresh air and vitamin D will do wonders for your happiness. Your kids will do better getting out of the house too!
Plan fun
One of the best ways to be a happy mom is to make sure you’re taking care of yourself. That means planning fun activities that are just for you! Whether it’s going out with friends, taking a yoga class, or reading your favorite book, make time for things that make you happy. You’ll be a better mom for it.
Planning fun for your family can also break up the monotony of life and create meaningful memories with your kids.
Reframe tough situations to make it not about you
When something bad happens, it can be easy to think “Why me?” But happy moms know how to reframe tough situations so they’re not about them. For example, if your kid spills their milk at breakfast, instead of thinking “Why can’t he do anything right?” try “This is just a small setback. We’ll get through it.” It’s a small shift, but it can make a big difference in how you feel.
Exercise
Exercise is not only good for your physical health, it’s also good for your mental health. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. So next time you’re feeling down, go for a run or take a yoga class. You could even put the baby in the stroller and simply walk around your neighborhood. You’ll be glad you did!
Be silly
One of the best things about being a mom is that you can be silly with your kids and they’ll love you for it. So go ahead and make faces, sing songs, and dance around the house to music. It’s good for your soul!
Have a snack
I don’t know about you, but it’s easy for me to become hangry or even sad if I haven’t eaten well. That’s why I always make sure to have a snack on hand, whether it’s an apple, a granola bar, or some nuts. Just a little something to tide me over until the next meal.
Find other mom friends
One of the best ways to be a happy mom is to find other mom friends. These are the people who understand what you’re going through and can offer support. Having mom-friends of kids that are about the same age as your kids can also be helpful.
Life seems a lot more normal if you know that your friends 3-year-old still gets up at night…just like yours does! More than anything it helps you to normalize your motherhood experience. And it builds your support system of people who can help you out in a pinch!
Get one on one time with each child
It can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget to focus on your individual relationship with each child. But happy moms know how important it is to get one-on-one time with each child, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. This is the time when you can really connect
Take care of yourself
One of the best ways to be a happy mom is to take care of yourself. That means making time for things that make you happy, whether it’s going out with friends, taking a class, or reading your favorite book. When you take care of yourself, you are better able to give to your family.
Schedule relaxation
In addition to making time for things that make you happy, it’s also important to schedule relaxation time into your day. This is the time when you can do something calming, like take a bath, read a book, or meditate. It doesn’t have to be long, but it should be enough to help you relax and de-stress.
Phone it in (stop expecting so much from yourself)
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever heard is to “phone it in.” That means that you shouldn’t expect so much from yourself. We’re all human and we’re all doing the best we can. So cut yourself some slack and know that it’s okay to not be perfect. Your kid doesn’t need to have perfectly curated Bento box lunches. Your house doesn’t always have to be spotless, and sometimes it’s ok to not volunteer at the school!
Create expectations where everyone helps out
In order to not feel overwhelmed, it’s important to create expectations where everyone helps out. That means teaching your kids how to do chores at an early age and involving them in the running of the household. It also means delegating tasks to your partner or other family members. And it means being okay with not doing everything yourself!
Listen to your body
Your body is your best friend and it knows what you need. So if you’re feeling exhausted, take a nap. If you’re hungry, eat something. And if you need some alone time, don’t be afraid to ask for it.
Make time for your partner
One of the best ways to be a happy mom is to make time for your partner. Whether that means going on regular date nights or just making sure you have some quality time together, it’s important to nurture your relationship. After all, they are your biggest supporter!
Focus on what you like about this season with your kids
No matter the age of your kids, there are hard things. Newborns mean less sleep, toddlers mean tantrums, and teenagers…well, we all know how challenging they can be! But happy moms focus on what they like about this season with their kids. So if you’re in the trenches of potty training, focus on how cute they look in their little undies. If your teenager is giving you attitude, focus on how proud you are of the independent person they are becoming. There is something good about every season of parenting.
Have a routine
One of the keys to happiness is having a routine. That doesn’t mean that every day has to be exactly the same, but it does mean having some sort of structure. This can look different for everyone, but happy moms know what works for them and their family.
Need a good morning or after school routine? Read: Create a Positive Morning Routine for Kids or Creating an After School Checklist.
Keep a “I’ve done” list
As a big To-do list fan, it can sometimes be discouraging when you haven’t accomplished all you wanted to do. But happy moms know how to focus on the positive and they keep an “I’ve done” list. This is a place where you can write down all of the things you have accomplished, no matter how small. And trust me, when you’re having a tough day, it will be a great reminder of how much you’ve actually accomplished!
Get physical touch every day
We all need physical touch and it’s especially important for moms. So make sure you’re getting plenty of hugs, kisses, and cuddles from your kids. But also make sure you’re getting some non-kid physical touch too! Whether that means a massage, snuggling with your partner, or just taking a yoga class
Get more sleep
This is easier said than done sometimes, but happy moms know how to prioritize their sleep. They know that they need at least seven hours of sleep every night and they make sure they get it. Even if that means going to bed a little earlier or taking a nap during the day.
Think about yourself less
Happy moms know how to focus on others and they think about themselves less. They know that their happiness comes from making those around them happy. So they put their energy into their relationships and they don’t dwell on their own problems.
Disconnect from your phone/social media
Happy moms know how to disconnect from their phones and social media. They know that they need to focus on the people and things that are right in front of them. So they make an effort to put away their phones and be present in the moment.
Being a happy mom takes work, but it’s so worth it. These 25 tips will help you to be a happier mom and enjoy this season of parenting. So don’t be afraid to put yourself first, make time for your partner, and get some sleep! And most importantly, focus on what you like about this season with your kids
