I sometimes joke with other moms that the secret to happiness is lowered expectations, especially with a newborn. But, it's pretty true. Even Fridays can feel like Mondays when you're a stay-at-home mom, especially when you realize you haven't accomplished what you meant to, and your work will follow you into the weekend, or, you know, eternity. So maybe it's time to stop the litany of defeat and perk ourselves up by celebrating life's little victories.
1) Give yourself due credit for feeding, dressing, and keeping alive your children.
It is way harder than it sounds. Think of all the shopping, cleaning, changing, wrangling, watching, and praying that go into these three basic tasks alone. Besides, children naturally want to disrobe, throw food, and do everything the most dangerous way possible. It is pretty much a miracle that you have children who are mostly fed, clothed, and alive.
2)Acknowledge when you're brave.
Sometimes the bravest thing I will do all day is get out of the shower. Leaving the only place where I'm warm, clean, and kid-free can be hard, especially in winter. If you faced a fear, or just your day, give yourself a proverbial gold star.
3) Do something good for yourself and do something good for your whole family.
Eat some fruit. Wear a cute outfit. Make a pot of tea or coffee to get you through the afternoon. Do some stretches.
If you make healthy decisions that make you feel good about yourself, you both set a good example and make your day better. And when mama's day is better, everybody's day is better.
4) If you can't throw away the to do list, make sure some of things on it are things to make someone happy.
Try adding "read books with the kids" or " bake something tasty" to your to do list. I guarantee your family will love it, and you will feel better about not crossing stuff off.
5) Notice when you resist temptation.
It's very easy to keep a list of the times we fail. We know we lost our temper, dropped the ball on patience, spoke without kindness, and missed opportunities to instruct with love. And it's good to know.what we are doing wrong so we can ask for forgiveness and try to do better. But we also need to see when we do the right thing. Otherwise, we are tempted to give up, to believe our weakness is not able to be overcome. But we know, by grace, it is. So acknowledging the working of grace in our lives is crucial. Everytime we choose the good is a little battle won.
6)Pray.
Want to get something really meaningful done without stopping your whole day? You can pray pretty much anytime, quietly as you do your chores, out loud with your kids, while you're nursing the baby or making dinner. Prayer accomplishes things: the worship of God, intercession for loved ones, and a peacefulness to your day. I need to follow this advice most of all. As St. Paul said, "pray without ceasing.". Now that would be a victory.
7) If you can't find something to celebrate, wait til your children are at their most lovable (sleeping), thank God they are yours and have some ice cream. You are a gold medal mama, and you deserve it.
Today is: The feast of St.
Finn is: still spending more time every day in his knight boots than out of them.
Gigi is: really starting to walk!
Mama is reading: more quick takes at Conversion Diary
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