How to be a Happier Mom

When it comes to being a Mom, I know that I feel like it’s my job to see that both my son and my husband are taken care of, their emotional needs met, and that our house and family runs smoothly. Motherhood is a rollercoaster of ups and downs, responsibilities without relaxation, and at times a constantly struggle to find gratitude, or simply just moments of peace. I know when it comes to Brock, he tries to encourage and acknowledge me for everything that I’m contributing to our marriage and the raising of Ford, but sometimes it’s just hard to even take the acknowledgement, let alone hear it. 

But that’s the journey of motherhood, isn’t it? Sometimes we’ve been running at warp speed for so long that we forget to take time for ourselves. We lose focus on discovering ourselves, and rediscovering our joy. Thankfully, there are some things that I’ve discovered along my journey with Ford that I want to share with you today. Some tips that you can start doing now to rediscover yourself and reconnect with your joy. Learning how to be a happier Mom comes with practice, and through some of these steps you will reconnect with all the things that bring you joy. I know that I did. 

Here are some tips and practices on how to be happier as Mom:

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

When it comes to motherhood, I know that I believe that I’m supermom. That I can and must do everything for my child. But sometimes something as simple as asking your partner for help can create a complete space of peace. When you have a few minutes to just take a breather, or even a couple hours to date your husband again, you’ll discover that zest for life again. Don’t be afraid to ask friends of family for help. You can’t do everything, even though we would if we could. Right, Moms?! 

2. Find your play

Life is such a hustle, everything has to be done now and yet more often than not, I sit back and realize that I hustled all day and feel like nothing got done. But have you forgotten to find your play? I know when it came to raising Ford, sometimes it became only about that. Learn from my experience if you can. Take the time to go outside and play with your child. Heck, take your husband with you. Being chased around the yard like we’re back in middle school can be quite freeing. Laughter heals, and joy frees us from our worries. Play. Laugh. Flirt. Put work down even when you feel like you have so much to do, and go outside to play with your child. This is one thing that I know for my experience in motherhood has brought me such peace and joy. 

3. Schedule time for you

How to be happier really starts with honoring yourself. Somewhere in between changing diapers, doctor’s appointments, work and career, activities, and nightly routines we can forget to make time for ourselves. You already are keeping a schedule for all of those things in some way, be sure to schedule time each day for you to date yourself. Making time for you allows you to be able to not only relax, but also just have peace and quiet to hear your own thoughts. You know how it is, with playing United Nations between your children while also wanting to listen and be sure that your husband is heard; so many voices happening that it’s hard to hear your own. You time is that time. Pick up your favorite book, take a bath, or even just go for a walk by yourself. 

4. Find the love

Remember how good it felt growing up when your Mom would just come up and wrap her arms around you? Or when she would put what she was doing down just to focus on you? It made you feel like you were the most important little girl in the world. What you didn’t know at the time, is that for your Mom, every one of those times taught her how to be a happier mom. Spending quality time with our children just listening, talking, or even drawing together is a great way to be a happier mom. Those are times spent creating precious memories that you’ll look back on in years to come and smile. 

These are just a few things that you can do to be happier in your journey through motherhood that have helped me along the way. What are some things that you do to find your happy?