Lifestyle tips from a moderately hip & stylish mom for families who
want to live a healthful, organized, and joyful life.
In honor of Mother’s Day I wanted to offer some tips to keeping Mom sane and happy. Because as they say, a happy Mom makes for a happy family. I know that as moms we do a lot. We do too much and we expect too much from ourselves. We are so busy taking care of everyone else that we forget to take care of ourselves. But taking care of ourselves is really the key to having the energy and sanity we need to do everything we do.
So I want you to make a commitment for this Mother’s Day to at least attempt a few of these!
1. Know and Respect Your Limits! As much as we like to think we can, it really isn’t possible to do it all. Learn to recognize how much you can handle on your plate at one time and stop taking on new tasks before you get to your breaking point. You know, the one where you scream to your family that you will murder them if you don’t get some quiet and then you go sit in the car just to get away for a few minutes! Is that just me?
2. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate! Don’t think you can finish that project you took on for the PTA? Ask a friend for help! Can’t finish the dinner dishes and fold the laundry in time to get to bed at a reasonable hour? Then why is your husband on the couch playing video games? Kids made a mess and you’re stuck cleaning it up? I don’t think so! If my 3-year-old can clean up after herself all your kids 3 and older can clean up after themselves too! Just remember, you are not alone. You have friends who want to help you and your husband and kids might not want to help with household tasks, but it’s their home too and that makes it their tasks too, not just yours!
3. Take a Break Once in a While. I know this is a hard one for many of us. This one is almost impossible for me. If I’m awake I have to be doing something! But every once in while we need to stop and recharge so that we’re ready to handle more. This break can be different for everyone, some need to get away from the house and the family, some want to spend it just playing with their kids, some need dinner alone with their spouse. Whatever your break is, try to take it on a regular basis. Once a month, once a week, whenever it is, just make a commitment to do it!
4. Exercise. It’s good for you. It makes you happier and healthier and better able to handle everything on your plate. I know that you are tired and it takes time and you already have so much to do, but believe me it is worth it. Find the time! If I can, you can too!
5. Eat Well. By this I mean two things. One, eat healthfully, cut out the excess sugar, fat, and processed foods! No more fast food! But two, eat something really delicious that you love once in a while! Whether it’s your favorite ice cream or that entree at your favorite restaurant. And if it’s not healthy, just make sure you don’t do it too often! Just as with exercise, eating well will make you happier and healthier.
6. Make Your Bed Every Day. I learned this one from The Happiness Project. It’s quick and easy to do each morning. And you would not believe how nice it feels just to have that small part of your life looking neat and tidy. And it also makes it look that much more welcoming come bed time.
7. Get Enough Sleep. This is probably the hardest for me. I have so much to do in a day and it’s so much easier to do once Eleanor is in bed. And it’s my only alone time of the day with Josh. So, I like for that time to be as long as possible. But I always pay for it big time the next day when I’m feeling terrible. It may seem worth it, but over time it really isn’t. Sleep is vital! Spend time with your spouse and get that extra work done on the weekends if you have to. Set a bedtime and stick to it. You will feel so much better and have the energy you need to conquer your days.
8. Have a Creative Outlet. For me, that’s writing this blog and my photography. For you, it might be cooking or scrapbooking or rebuilding classic cars. Whatever it is have one and make a little time every day to do it.
9. Spend Time With Your Friends. Especially the friends you’ve had since your pre-baby days. They’ll help remind you that you’re not just wife and mom, but you’re that punk rock girl who dyed her hair pink, shaved it into a tri-hawk (note: the photo in the link is not me, mine was never that incredibly tall and impressive), and ditched schools to thrift store shop in Hollywood. Ummm, that was definitely just me!
10. Have Your Hair Done. This is one of my favorite things to do. It’s two hours for me to be away from work and family. I get to read a magazine, and have some girl talk with my stylist Stacy. It’s heaven! Find the time and money for it!
While I attempt to follow all of these I don’t do so often enough! But I try and you should too!
Take care of yourself Mama! Your kids deserve a happy, healthy Mom! And You deserve to be that Mom!
