Tips for Being a Happier Mom

Anderson Team
Anderson
Anderson



Rene Syler, who runs the website GoodEnoughMother.com, joined "Anderson" to discuss the results of a new study that says moms with jobs outside the home are healthier and happier than full-time mothers.

But Rene does not believe that happiness has to belong to one group or the other. She believes all mothers work hard, and she is an advocate of happiness for all mothers.

Here, she has compiled some tips to help each mother - regardless of their career path - to be as happy as they can. Read Rene's tips below.



Recharge Your Battery
Find something, a hobby or interest that is uniquely your own, and do it regularly. If it's meeting girlfriends for coffee or wine, if it's needlepoint, if it's travel - take the time to indulge yourself in that. You'll come back refreshed and ready to handle the challenges of motherhood.

Shun Guilt
Once you have found your happiness and recharged your battery, do not feel guilty for doing so. What you need to understand is that by taking care of yourself you are taking care of your family.


Say 'No' to Competitive Parenting
Rene says this is a huge pet peeve of hers. Too many times we use others - friends, neighbors, mommies in playgroup - as a yardstick for good parenting. You need to be internally driven and parent for the people who matter: those living under your own roof.


Sometimes Good Enough is Perfect
Rene asks mothers to please put out of your mind any hope of attaining perfection. It doesn't exist in parenting (or life) and you'll make yourself crazy chasing it. Instead, understand that good enough is just perfect. Sometimes eating pizza out of the box in front of the TV with your kids at your side and your feet on the table, is better than fine. Your kids will learn a lot from a mom who cuts herself some slack, makes mistakes, apologizes and then moves on.




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