7 Tips to Become a More Peaceful Mom is a guest post by Andee.
________________
She wakes up and spends one hour of quiet time by herself before getting dressed and putting on a cute stylish outfit and makeup on. Then, just as the clock turns 6:30 am she calls “good morning” in a sing-song voice to her sweet little babes. Everyone rushes off to school while she stays home and prepares the night’s meal in advance.
Once that’s done, she’s off to the grocery store where she makes wise buys, saving over fifty dollars at the register with her well timed purchases and coupons. Then she’s home just in time to bake fresh cookies before the kids come scurrying up the walkway. Ahhh, the bliss of motherhood…
Does this sound like someone you know?
She might not live on your block, but she lives in the most dangerous neighborhood in town, your mind. Oh how she gets to me with her sweet perfect self, tempting me to compare myself to her, but I’m ready to say goodbye. Join me, won’t you?
We often compare ourselves to some image of perfection, but I’d like to invite you to welcome a new neighbor in town. Maybe we can all be inspired by her today.
She’s no perfect mom, but she is a peaceful mom. She wakes up and gets to spend 20 minutes to herself on a good morning and she enjoys every sweet minute of it. On the days she misses it, she shrugs it off and makes a point to sneak in some time throughout her day.
As she hurries to get the kids ready for school, she realizes that she forgot to prep the coffee and breakfast last night, but she smiles knowing she did manage to pack lunches the night before. While the kids are gone to school she does a few errands before she has to go pick them up. She didn’t have time to hit the grocery store yet, but she’s crafty with the leftovers, and the family manages to have a great stir fry for dinner. It’s been a long but happy day.
Would you like to invite the peaceful mom to take residence? Here are some simple tips to get you there:
1. Give yourself a break. Laugh at yourself instead of criticizing.
2. Praise yourself for the good things you’ve done. Everyone needs encouragement, even you!
3. Do what you can, and let the rest go. Know that no one ever gets everything done in one day.
4. Take some time just for you. Even five or ten minutes here or there can make a difference. Stop and enjoy something, the smell of fresh brewed coffee in the morning a flower, the sunset.
5. Look for something you love about each member of your family. Delight in a small moment today, especially with the kids. These days are precious and they move along faster than you think.
6. Smile. Studies show that when we do, we actually feel happier.
7. Compliment yourself at the end of the day. Meditate on your favorite moments of the day. When we think of what we love about our day, it magnifies the good and shrinks the bad.
Now it’s your turn. What’s one thing you can do this week to be a peaceful mom? I’d love to hear from you! Share in comments.
___________
Andee Flynn is an author, speaker, personal coach, and blogger. She makes it her goal to seek joy wherever she goes. Read more from Andee at Joyful Project. Follow Andee on Twitter.
I love this post! Kimberlee you always pick the perfect guest posts for your blog 🙂 thanks for all the encouragement and care Andee!
Thanks Anna–I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Oh Anna!
I am so delighted that you enjoyed the post. Thanks so much for taking the time to reach out.
Hugs-
Andee
Reaching out – sometimes just a quick phone call to a friend (often with her kids or mine yelling in the background) can calm me in a moment of crisis. Having friends and a phone has kept me sane on a cross country move!
Thanks – this was FABULOUS!!
Very good post…I will pop over to your place for a visit. I tend to be a …um passionate mom. Ahem. Expressive. lol- great tips for the balance. Needed! 😉 In His Grace, Dawn
I often say that my blog should be called “The (trying to be more) Peaceful Mom”–haha!
Oh Dawn! I so get you- yes, I’m all about the passion too. And you are so right, we all need balance.
So glad you stopped by my blog for a visit. I love your blog too and I’m joining you for your journaling link up!
Hugs-
Andee
I’m a big fan of phone therapy too Shannon! 🙂
I love that you have a good friend to share with-even with kids hollering in the background 🙂 its so important to have someone on our side. My friends definitely keep me sane on a daily basis! Here’s to peaceful moms!
Hugs-
Andee
Awww…Thanks Wendy! I’m so glad to hear that you were uplifted by this. Hope the rest of your day is filled with peace and joy.
Hugs~
Andee
I love love love #5……I’m doing this one today!!!
Awesome Kimberly!
Finding something that we love about each member of the family is so important- and often overlooked!
Hugs-
Andee
Definitely good advice – and I dont even have kids!
Thanks Christina! So glad you enjoyed the article- whether you have kids or not it applies!
Hugs-
Andee
Thank you So much for this outlook today. Great advice for those who maybe didn’t wake up to a great “Monday on a Tuesday” back to work! Very uplifting.
I pick a verse from the Bible to resight as my mantra throughout the day when I hit resistance, plans crumble, kids melt down…
My current verse is Psalm 19:14 may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Oh Brigitte! I love that. What an awesome tool- and that verse is amazing. As I read it or say it I can feel the peace expanding in my heart. Yay God.
Blessings!
Andee
After a frustrating morning trying to get school work done… I NEEDED this!! Thanks!
I am so happy to hear that! I believe we can all kick perfection to the curb and invite peace instead. Hugs!
~Andee
Thanks so much for this encouragement!
You are very welcome Jackie! Andee is a great writer isn’t she?
Aww thanks Kimberlee! I’m just so blessed to be able to write here.
xoxo
Andee
Hi Jackie!
I’m so glad you were encouraged today.
Hugs~
Andee