Has this week been hard for anyone else? Coming off of an extended holiday break, going back to solo-momming all day.. man, it has been rough! I’m corralling two kids and a dog alone all day, we’re back to only seeing Dad before and after work, it’s been freezing rain outside which limits our outdoor play, and the lack of sunshine casts a dull gray light over everything. This week has just felt dreary and BLAH! No wonder I feel in a funk!
You see that? You see what I just did? I took one small feeling of defeat and let it bring down the rest of my WEEK. Don’t do that! Recognize it happening and steer that train back onto the tracks. You are allowed to recognize that this week has been tough! You are human, not every day or week will be ideal, and you can’t change that. BUT! What you CAN change is how you react to it. (How many times have you heard that? LOL!) Hear me out.
My kids might still be too young to fully grasp the idea, but I always tell them “we have happy hearts and good attitudes.” I say “we” because some days I need the reminder more than they do! Attitude is everything. When Mom Life feels hard, it is SO easy to let that take over. Suddenly, not only is it raining outside but the kids are giving you a hard time, the dishes are piled up, everyone needs something from you, and why can’t you get a moment’s peace?! When you feel like that, take a deep breath. And then another. You are a GREAT mother. Your kids are not giving you a hard time, they are having a hard time. It’s raining and they’re not getting the outside time they need. The dishes are piled up because your family had food to eat. Your children love you and trust that they can rely on your for their needs. And you’ll have plenty of peace when they’re at college LOL!
Quick ways to turn your day around:
- Turn off the TV and put on music!
- Get all the way dressed, brush your hair and teeth if you haven’t, and put on makeup if you wear it
- Call your mom or your “just because” friend.. you know, the one that you don’t need a reason to talk to!
- Get some fresh air! Put the kids in the yard or in the stroller for a lap around the neighborhood
- If you’ve been short with them, apologize to your kids. There’s not much a “s’ok, Mama” from Jack can’t fix! Plus, it’ll model the behavior for them
- Say a prayer, if that’s your jam
- Snuggle your kids, kiss the dog, read together on the couch
- Put your kids in the bath and let them splash and play
- Write down three things you’re thankful for, even if two are nap and bedtime
Prevent future bad moods:
Have you heard of the law of attraction? It’s basically the idea that you attract into your life what you place your focus on. Like, when you’re thinking about green cars, suddenly you notice more green cars on the road. It sounds corny, but I have found that by saying a few affirmations to myself out loud, I start to believe them!
In the morning, I say something like I enjoy waking up before my children to have a moment of peace and stillness. Now, if you don’t know this already about me, but I don’t enjoy mornings OR waking up, period. LOL! But, by saying it out loud, it reminds me that the optimal version of myself won’t turn the alarm off and go back to sleep until the kids get up.
When I’m making dinner and Jack is begging for yet another snack and I feel like I’m on my last nerve, I remind myself I am thankful to be able to cook healthful meals for my family. I like making food they enjoy. I am thankful for the cabinet full of snacks and that Jack doesn’t have to worry about it being empty. These positive affirmations really help me reset my mindset.
There are definitely some days where I feel like I say more affirmations than anything else, or that I’m just faking it until I make it. And that’s okay! I just remind myself that I am a great mom and I am doing the best I can 😉
What are your go-to mood fixers? Let me know in the comments!
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