10 Habits of Happy Moms

Here are 10 things happy moms do--so remember these tips in your day-to-day life!

1. Find time for yourself

Happy moms know they deserve a little time to themselves. When you know you're going to have a little room to breathe later on in the day, it's easier to take on everything that's in front of you. Our formula? Take 2 hours out for yourself every 3 days.

2. Don't make a happy baby, happier!
We all do it...you see your baby's head at what you're sure is an unnatural angle snoozing in their car seat. You just know they'll be happier if their head was straight. So you move them. And they wake up. Then they scream. Or, you see them playing happily in the sand. You just know they'll be happier if they played on the slide. So you interrupt them and move them to the slide. And they're angry. And they let you know they're REALLY angry. Here's the thing, they were happy. It can be hard to do, but if your kid's not complaining, leave them be! Happy baby = Happy Mommy.

3. Embrace the mess
So your house doesn't look like something out of a magazine. That just means it's cozy! Your children have hands coated in dirt from the playground and faces coated in spaghetti from dinner. It's not gross-it's an adorable photo op! Life is about how you look at things. Next time that pile of laundry that's been sitting on the chair for three days starts to get you down, just remember… it's probably feng shui.

4. Make time for your friends
Your family can survive without you while you make time to see friends. You are a woman with your own identity and its imperative that you and that identity go out for some margaritas once in awhile!

5. Stop blowing yourself off
While you may be the one taking care of everyone, it doesn't mean you can't also get what you want. Help your family realize your needs are as important as theirs and when mom is happy, everyone is happy, but when mom is not....

6. Get in the zone
Take 10 minutes to do absolutely nothing but rest. Take a break from your day, close your eyes, breath in slowly and deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Repeat several times. Think about a place you love that is relaxing, spend 10 minutes there in your mind.

7. Remember your dreams and goals
Everyday we are encouraging our children to reach their full potential. But sometimes in the midst of being a parent we forget about our own dreams and goals. The best thing you can do to encourage a child is to lead by example -happy moms hold on to their dreams and goals and don't let go.

8. Be lighthearted
Don't be the uptight mom. Be silly and dance with your kids to their music or tv show tunes. Be romantic and pull your partner into a waltz. Dance in slippery socks in your kitchen while making dinner.

9. Bend the Rules
One of the best parts of making the rules is occasionally breaking them. Maybe it's taking your child out of school for half a day on their birthday, or waking them up in the middle of the night to see a sky of shooting stars. Happy moms know how to turn the mundane into fun.

10. Mind your own business
Concentrate on creating your life the way you want it. Take care of you and your family. Don't get overly concerned with what other people are doing or saying. Don't get caught up with gossip or name calling. Stop seeking the validation of others and be confident in yourself.

Read More from Hybrid Mom:

14 Ways to Keep Your Relationship Happy

When did kids stop knowing how to play?

Confessions of a Multitasking Mom

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208 comments

  • Kristen Heffern  •  8 months ago
    Love this article! My son will be 2 soon and I'm always looking for tips on how to stay confident in myself and my abilities as a Mom, even though I can't ever be Superwoman and do it all. Other moms, read "The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers" by Meg Meeker--it's a great book. It's helped me get rid of the mommy guilt and taught me how to dump the competition with other mothers.
  • Sam  •  1 year 1 month ago
    I'm an older mom and I have to say that the perspective of both taking care of myself and also of really ENJOYING my kid being a kid are two gifts that are priceless.
  • Paradux  •  1 year 6 months ago
    Vodka and Valium.
  • Enav  •  1 year 6 months ago
    I read this article after having a very stressful day being a full time mom. I've been bombarded with schoolwork (online classes) which I thought would be more convenient, but with a 3 yr old who doesn't leave my side ALL day, it's impossible. I have the dishes from lunch, the floors need to be mopped, and how I wish I had 2 hours to myself even once a YEAR! I'm 24 and feel burned out...I need to start spending time by myself, at least an hour a week. But with an non supportive husband who thinks that I don't need a break cuz I don't have a "real" job, there's no way I can ever have my time alone! I adore my children but we all need our breaks...this article seems to offer good tips and I'm sure I'd be less stressed if only I could follow the advice!
  • Tracie S  •  1 year 6 months ago
    With all this "taking time for yourself" and your friends and remembering your dreams, when do you cook dinner and calm a crying baby. About half of this is the same thing over and over and very little is realistic on a regular basis. Maybe we need to look for the joy in being a mother and accept that for a time our life will not be focused on us. I end most days slightly frazzled with lots left to do and wondering if I yelled much that day. But, I know that 99% of the time my kids had good days and I find my happiness there for now. One day they will be grown and barely need me. I'll refocus on MY dreams then.
  • Ohnoes  •  1 year 6 months ago
    Sounds like good advice for the mom that didn't want children.
  • Ron  •  1 year 6 months ago
    Having a dirty house is nasty and thats how people get sick, having a laundry basket a little too full is one thing but speghetti stains on carpet or dirt in the floor is a way to ruin your house value if you dont get it cleaned and its unsanitary. Recommending someone live in a filthy house is unsanitary and bad advice.
  • Who?  •  1 year 6 months ago
    HOLD ON! Before all you women scream "yes" to everything, the article is missing some small details. Take the one about having some time with friends. It's okay to take this escape, but it's not mandatory. Coming home at 3-4am after spending time with friends is not just idiotic, but garners you a HORRIBLE MOTHER. Plain and simple that, if you feel that your responsibilities can be done by other people than with you, you are a horrible mother, and you should have never been a mother or bare children.
  • amanda p  •  1 year 6 months ago
    I clicked on this article thinking it was bs. I was thinking "I'm amazingly happy, and I bet I don't do one thing on this list." I do them all. This is how I live my life, and I honestly wouldn't have it any other day. Oh but my laundry basket sits for about a week before getting put away. By that long it's half empty because I pull things out of it to wear!
  • A Yahoo! User  •  1 year 6 months ago
    Yeah, I like the tenth one the best, I really do wish I could stop caring about what other people say.
  • Melody Granger  •  1 year 6 months ago
    As an organizer, my favorite words are "Be Comfortably Organized". That means messes will happen, but when you are ready to deal with them...then it will be so much easier. And it doesn't have to be perfection all the time.

    Forget lining up the crayons, markers, and pencils. Just have a drawer to toss them all in. When you have the time and patience to take it up a notch and separate them into containers, within that drawer, then have at it. Or not!

    Enjoyed this article. From a mother of 2 active, creative girls... ahhhh
  • amom2go  •  1 year 6 months ago
    Some Mothers have children,whose challenges cannot just be put on the burner for a Mom's retreat. I think as Mothers, we can look for those who NEED time for themselves. They may not be able to leave home as easily,or stop to go read a book etc. Offer to come over and help with the kids, so she can do something for herself, even if it's in her own home. Serving another's needs with love will make your day have it's fill of joy also.
  • Sandy G  •  1 year 6 months ago
    Easier said than done!
  • Amy  •  1 year 6 months ago
    Sorry, I did about 9/10ths of these -- but would NEVER wake a child up! Oh, I just loved my sleep time way too much!!
  • Shandy  •  1 year 6 months ago
    As a 22 year old mom of a 2 year old, I do say that I don't get much time. My minds always on the baby, bills, work, school and My fiance works alot. It's def not an easy job and i think it has made me less social and slightly unhappier knowing that i don't have time for anything anymore beside my at home life. I think Im goin to try this article out. THnx
  • Christine  •  1 year 6 months ago
    lol everyone says that I am an awesome mom and a great mom! But since they don't see me being a big goof-ball I have to say this... number 8 up there said to dance in your kitchen in slippery socks while you are cooking dinner... yeah don't do it... bad experience with that... lol
  • Anonymous  •  1 year 6 months ago
    # 10 is the best advice on there. I tried to live by that because everyone is an expert, but we know what is best for our families. We homeschooled all the way thru and our kids are smart, well adjusted, hardworking, social, individuals. So glad I have a mind of my own and didn't cave in to all the negative talk from naysayers. The gossipers are wishing they did the same because some of their kids are on drugs or pregnant or the like. Follow your heart, Mom's wherever it takes you and "your" family. That will be the "right thing" for you and yours. Never mind what others are doing and don't criticize others for doing something different. Just be happy! Then, and only then, will your families be. I thought going out to work was what I was supposed to do now, because everyone said I should. Not. I was miserable. I am happier and content being home, cooking, baking, cleaning, sewing, crocheting, home-improving, making gifts for family, doing laundry, painting, paying the bills, and all that good stuff. It is where I belong. I don't need to have a career to feel full-filled; others do and that's OK. Just be who YOU want to be. My husband and kids are happy, because I am.
    : )
  • KristiS  •  1 year 6 months ago
    Do you even have kids?!?! Try to fit ALL your ideas into a single Mom's life with 5 kids!!! You are probably a stay at home mom with a husband that pays for everything! Gimmee a break!
  • Jessica  •  1 year 6 months ago
    Great article, just doing them sometimes is the hard part but I think we as Moms need to know that we are our own person and need our own time to relax! =)
  • HumanBeing  •  1 year 6 months ago
    This makes me even happier I don't have kids. Thanks.
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