Do you know one of those moms that just exudes joy? The kind of mom that seems to have it mostly together? I know that’s the kind of mom I aspire to be!
Although being a happy mom all the time is not a reality, there are certain things we can do to have better, more productive, and less stressful days, which lead to a happier disposition. Below are 16 habits you can implement to be a happier mom.
happy moms wake up early.
You have heard this over and over again, and for good reason! Waking up early should be considered a gift of self-care, as it sets the tone and intention for your day. It is a discipline that leads to increased productivity, better sleep, a better mental disposition, and numerous other benefits. Also, there is something so therapeutic about that stillness and silence as the world is waking up.
Use the early morning to pour into your cup and prepare for the coming day. Prioritize a morning routine that boosts your mood and makes you happy.
As moms, this time may not always be solo, and that’s okay. Consistency is key, and your kids will learn to understand that this is mom’s time. This is also a good time to teach them the importance of having a routine. They can mirror your morning activities, such as morning hygiene and moving their body, and start building good, life-long habits.
If your children are still quite young, waking up early after an exhausting night with babies may be the furthest thing from your mind. That’s understandable, and mornings might look different during this season. However, take advantage of those early morning hours whenever possible.
Also, make sure to step outside and take full advantage of those early morning rays. This will help regulate your circadian rhythm and again give you that “good mood” boost throughout the day.
Happy moms time block for maximum productivity.
Having schedules in place provides a sense of predictability, improves productivity, and keeps everyone happy, including Mom! Schedules are the cornerstone to managing life and keeping things running smoothly. Essentially, schedules are how you organize the items on your to-do list throughout your day.
It’s important to keep schedules simple to avoid getting overwhelmed and being counterproductive. First, find a planning method that works for you, whether paper, digital, or a combination of both. I find it helpful to break tasks down into monthly, weekly, and daily.
Next, utilize the power of time-blocking, or setting designated chunks of time for each task. For example, you may have a time block for your morning routine, household tasks, work tasks, etc.
happy moms optimize their to-do list.
Now that you’ve organized your routines and planned your schedules, it’s time to optimize your to-do list. Make sure your to-do list works for you, not against you. Overwhelming yourself by writing a long and complicated to-do list is an easy way to stress yourself out and get the cranky mom blues.
The key to a good to-do list is to make sure that you do not have too many items on your plate. What is the point of creating an impossible to-do list that is going to make you feel bad at the end of the day? Keep it simple, and keep it manageable.
Happy moms know their "why".
What gets you out of bed every day? As moms, almost certainly, we start thinking of our families. It’s kind of a given! While that is certainly part of our why, it shouldn’t be the only reason.
Nobody wants to just coast in life without any meaning or purpose. Each of us has a desire to succeed and reach our goals, whether we are stay-at-home moms or working moms.
A simple way to start achieving those goals and defining that purpose is to create a mission statement for your life. Most of us have probably heard the phrase “mission statement” at some time or another. Essentially, a mission statement is a brief explanation of your purpose, values, and goals.
Take the time to spell out your mission statement, and put it somewhere you will see it every day. A mission statement provides motivation and keeps you on track to achieving your goals.
Happy moms work smarter, not harder.
As moms, we are constantly juggling many hats, so having systems in place for completing tasks helps keep anxiety and stress at bay. A less stressed mom is a happier mom.
Another way to work smarter and not harder is to fight the urge to “multi-task.” Trying to complete multiple tasks simultaneously can backfire tremendously, ultimately making tasks take longer. Instead, complete your tasks one at a time. This will make you more efficient and more productive in the long run.
happy moms set measurable goals.
There is something so satisfying about setting your mind on something and achieving that goal. Setting a goal gives life purpose and direction. Having a goal can even help pull you out of a rut.
The key to goal setting is to make sure that it is achievable and measurable. I like to use the S.M.A.R.T. acronym. The “S” in smart stands for specific. Avoid overgeneralizing your goal, and be very specific about what you are trying to achieve.
Next, the “M” stands for measurable. It is important to make sure that your goal is measurable. You can do this by setting specific checkpoints for your goal. This helps keep you on track and breaks down that bigger goal into smaller chunks.
Those smaller chunks make your goal more achievable, which is the “A” the S.M.A.R.T. We all have those large, lofty goals, which are good. We should all dream! However, make sure your goals are achievable and have actionable steps.
The “R” in the acronym stands for relevant. Essentially, you want to make sure that whatever goal you are setting is relevant to your current situation and purpose. Examples include setting a health goal, a work goal, or a goal related to your family life. The goal should fit in with your “why,” mission statement, and current life situation.
Lastly, the “T” in S.M.A.R.T. stands for time. This means that there is a specific time frame for each action step. Finally, keep track of your goal, check in regularly, and mark off each action step as it is completed.
happy moms prioritize their time.
Our time matters. There are only so many hours in the day, and how we choose to spend that time is so vitally important. Everybody gets the same 24 hours, and everybody chooses to use that time in vastly different ways.
To be a happier mom, it is so important to prioritize your time. Again, this goes back to having systems in place to make life easier, taking time to relax, and taking care of ourselves by making sure we are balancing our time as best as possible.
happy moms laugh often & stay in the moment.
Laugh often and laugh a lot. This is the quickest way to get those happy vibes for an instant mood boost. As moms, we often find ourselves in the position of “planner.” I am the one usually tasked with planning events, outings, and other experiences for my family. And don’t get me wrong, I love having that privilege! The problem is that by being the “planner,” I often forget to be in the moment.
Make a conscious effort to fully immerse yourself as much as possible when you are with your family. Be present. Laugh with your family and create memories. Memories are the things we leave with our children in the end.
happy moms let go of perfection & embrace failure.
The idea of perfection is pure fiction. It does not exist! The only person who has achieved perfection in this world is God, and thank God for that. I do not want to be perfect. I do not aspire to be a robotic wife who does everything right all the time. Seriously, there is such beauty in imperfection!
I am so grateful that I do not have to be perfect all the time. I am so grateful that I have been given grace every time I mess up, time and time again. Letting go of the idea of perfection and permitting yourself to mess up will immediately make you a happier mom. Let go of that stress because you are doing the best job you can!
Your children love you simply for the fact that you are their mom, not because of how “perfect” you make their lives. Your family does not expect you to be perfect. Trust me, they much prefer to spend time and make memories, as opposed to having a mentally exhausted mom trying to do the impossible.
Finally, embrace your failures as a mother. Show your kids what it means to mess up and how to handle that situation. This shows them that it’s not about the mistakes we make but rather how we handle them that matters most.
happy moms work themself into the equation.
Along with letting go of perfection, make sure that you are working yourself into the equation. You cannot pour from an empty cup! You must be filling your cup with activities that make you happy.
For me, it is savoring that morning cup of coffee, moving my body in a way that feels good for me, taking constant “brain breaks” throughout my day, and ending the day with a good book. These are some of the activities that refresh and revive me, which in turn helps me be a better wife and mother.
happy moms know when to ask for help.
Learning how to graciously ask for help and delegate is such an important skill for a mother. Stop trying to get it all done yourself! As your kids get older, include them in the day-to-day by giving them chores. This will help to foster gratitude and teach your children important life skills. Resist the urge to go after them and redo the job, even if it is not exactly up to your standards. This only shows your children that you are not pleased with their work, which only leads to resentment and frustration.
Delegate household tasks between you and your spouse. In our home, I handle most of the interior tasks, as I am home during the day. On the other hand, my husband deals primarily with outdoor tasks. This works perfectly for us in this season of life. That’s not to say that we help each other and overlap tasks when necessary. Teamwork ensures that our home runs smoothly, things get done, and I am a much happier mom.
happy moms are thankful & practice gratitude.
Avoid the comparison game, and be grateful for whatever season you find yourself in. This is so important, especially as a Christian mother. Take time to be thankful and practice gratitude. Express your thanks to God for everything that you have. It is so easy to compare ourselves to others and feel less than.
By doing that, we forget to be thankful for everything that we have. If I am feeling down, I like to list all the things that I am thankful for. By doing that, I see all that I have, which in turn leads me to be a more grateful wife and mother.
happy moms nurture their relationships.
In the face of stress, it is so easy to forget all the people in our lives. Make sure that you are nurturing all those relationships, whether with your spouse, children, extended family, or friends. Every person in your life is important and holds a special place.
First and foremost, I keep my relationship with God as a top priority. It is important to me to make sure that I am consistently nurturing my faith by prioritizing my relationship with God.
My relationship with my husband is the next priority on my list. He is my life partner, and it is so important to me not to become complacent by keeping our relationship at the forefront. After that, I make it a priority to nurture my relationship with my children, extended family, and friends. Every one of those relationships is essential to making me a happier, more fulfilled mother.
happy moms know when to say "no".
Finding that balance and knowing when to say no goes a long way toward helping you be a happier mom. It is okay to say no sometimes! We do not need to be involved in every activity or complete every task asked of us. Saying no when necessary is so important to our overall health and well-being. Nobody wants to be a stressed-out, stretched-thin mess!
happy moms exercise regularly & nourish their body.
When you are feeling your best, your mood is better. Make sure that you are moving your body daily and feeding yourself with nourishing foods. I know that when I am not super diligent in either of those areas, I immediately feel it in my body. I start to be low energy, feel run down, and just overall not the greatest. This makes me cranky and not the best mom. On the other hand, when I am prioritizing my health, I feel good and overall happier.
happy moms go to bed early, whenever possible.
This one can be tricky, but go to bed early whenever possible. A well-rested mother is a happier mother. I know I get super cranky and short when I haven’t gotten my required rest. Prioritizing sleep is so vital for overall health and well-being!
When you break it down, the formula for being a happier mom is so simple. Taking care of yourself, plus prioritizing what is most important, equals a happier mother. And a happier mother is what our children want. Life is not perfect, and things get pushed to the wayside sometimes, but just remember to give yourself grace and get back on track. Life isn’t easy. Remember, the days are long, but the years are short.
