#mgfnest | mama-gets-fit

While my greatest hope is for my children to turn into happy adults, like most mom I grit my teeth a fair amount of time on the road to happiness. I want to share with you what I think kids need and want most from me. And, that it’s that i’m a happy mom above all other mom hats that I wear.

Do me a slight favour won’t you ? Keep these questions below in mind if you too, think that kids need and want is a happy mom. It’s important I think that we understand these question for ourselves before even trying to begin the process of becoming happy or happier mom.

• Do your kids see that you ENJOY being with them?
• Do they see you SMILE when you are with them?
• Do your kids see you LAUGHING and being stress-free?

Consider This

After we drop our kids off to sports practice (latihan Sukan), co-coriculum (hari koko), shop for dinner and hunt down the perfect skills practice workshops, we are left with little inspiration to model the one thing we most wish for our children : happiness! It’s not that we don’t want to be happy is it? I think in this day and age It’s more a question of how to fit it into our schedule. Are you the same? Do you agree that Kids Need And Want Most Is A Happy Mom?

Read on for some practical tips from parenting experts on how to move “be happy” to the top of your to-do list.

I USED to in my younger years stress about SO MUCH. But, these days though I just try to sit back & enjoy the ride! This is a really fun time for us as a family and I want to soak up these memories right now without stressing and causing any stress. I have narrowed it down to these 8 tips of what I think a happy mom is. Remember this if not anything else in this post – Kids Need And Want Most Is A Happy Mom.

1. Conquer Clutter

This point lists high on my ‘cranky mom triggers’ and I think you mom babes can agree that untidiness is pretty high up there in the obstacles cloud to happiness. Over the years i’ve come up with a simple system for keeping track of pending bills and paperwork, and, most important, become ruthless about throwing those unwanted papers! I get myself into a routine which I have found help contain clutter. oh, I make sure every member of the house do the same thing too, like when they come home for the day : To keep their shoes in the box or closet and place all backpacks, briefcases, keys and lunchboxes in their designated spots.

2. Have A No-Work Day

Start off with just one evening: one night a week, have the family gather to relax and play games or watch a movie with cell phones and computers off. The kids might reject this idea at first, but soon they too will see the benefit of a time designated exclusively to leisure and ‘family’ time.

3. Be Ok With ‘Just You’

Universally mom babes sis understand that much of our stress and irritation as parents comes from trying to live up to impossible standards. A lot of these feelings of inadequacy come from comparing ourselves with other moms and competing in ways both small (bringing an elaborate dish to a reunion) and large (pushing our kids to excel). Come on now, there is no need (although tempting), I repeat there is NO NEED to measure up to anyone! Instead, recognise your own strength and be the best version of who you are. The best part of being your best is that your children will also identify with that and learn from it.

4. Get Help

You can not do it all and if you are doing it all well my dear, you are not teaching your kids to be responsible. If they are not responsible kids well guess what? They won’t be responsible as adults! Period.

5. Get Out – Meet The Girls

Just put everything on hold & get out. Call up a friend & ask them to meet you and the kids to go on a walk in the neighborhood or at a walking trail, or for a cup of coffee. Sometimes, it ’s just nice to have a change of scenery. According to Harvard, and studies all around the world, regular exercise can improve mood in people with mild to moderate depression. It also may play a supporting role in treating severe depression. So mom babes, sis, I read It simple , Exercise equates to? Happy Mom! Hoorah.

Say I love you… often. Everyone needs to hear that they are valued and loved. Its not big in our culture to express our love but do try to make it a point to remind your kids every single day (and throughout the day of it).

mama-gets-fit

6. Focus on the Good

I ask my kids at dinner “Tell me one good thing that happened to you today.” Or “Tell me your favourite part of the day.” The hubs and I rarely ever ask them about their worst part of their day, because we want them to focus on the good. I strongly feel that it makes them see things in a better light. It works WONDERFULLY in our home. (not always but it does most of the time). You! Mommy, need to focus on the good, too. I read once somewhere online that you should keep a journal of good things to elevate moods. So now I list three things every day that made me smile that day. And I suggest you do the same. Read about the 83 Benefits of Journaling here.

7. Hugs

There is nothing like hugs for me! If my kids are not ‘feeling’ ok I hug them. They don’t tell me but I know they feel better and yes! I do too. Raised endorphins for us both only results in a happier and less stressed house members. And, well we want to try to always spend some time with them, just listening and talking. This is a toughie for me with balancing work and life, but I make effort to slot in time during the week. Either to draw pictures together or go on a walk & talk. If you can , Bake & Cook with them too.

8. Relax

Finally but definitely not the least important, take it easy on yourself. If you are skipping something because you decided to play with your child so be it! Yes do it, let things go just a bit! Enjoy the moment that you are in right now. We all want to live up to our parenting ideals and do everything right all the time don’t we and here we are, losing our tempers, being inconsistent, and bribing kids with candy on a daily basis. Unfortunately, all the time you spend brooding and punishing yourself for this is more time when your best self is not there for your kids. Happy parents let those days go, and get on with exercising and vacation planning and relaxing!

I hope you leave this read with a better understanding of being a happy mom and the many positive outcomes it can have for you and your loved ones. If youre already doing all of this, keep it up! You are absolutely crushing it. If you have more tips to add to the list do share it with me.

Thank you for reading and have a happy day.