11 Ways to Be a Happier Mom

Moms know best that being a Mom is tough.

We have to get up early (and I mean 5-am-early) to squeeze in time for a shower.

And during the day? 

Even going to pee alone is a challenge.

But how is it that some Moms thrive and some only survive?

What do happy Moms do differently?

And even more important…

How can you be one of them?

Here’s a list of 11 ways to be a happier Mom.

1. Stop Perfectionism

Happy Moms aren’t perfect Moms.

Your home doesn’t need to look spotless, you don’t have to iron the underwear of your kids and you don’t need to follow every parenting advice someone gives you.

Happy Moms drop perfectionism. 

Why?

Because there is no such thing as a perfect mother.

But there are plenty of happy Moms out there.

So why shouldn’t you be one of them?

2. Take Time for Yourself

Take time for yourself when you need it. Or even better…before you need it. 

It’s okay when your home isn’t perfectly clean. It doesn’t have to be sterile.

Read a book, scroll on your phone, or watch a drama on Netflix. 

Take time for yourself Mommy.

Happy Moms don’t run on empty batteries.

3. Learn Something New

During my first year of motherhood, I learned so much about my baby. 

Back then I was a new mother who knew nothing about how to keep a baby alive.

So I learned how to change diapers, how to soothe a fussy baby, how to cook baby puree… 

Just like you.

But I also learned skills for myself. I was taking many different online courses. That’s the best way to learn.

At home, during baby’s naps, at my own pace.

For example, I learned about photography and writing.

Learning something new for my kid and learning something new for myself was the perfect balance. 

So try it out!

4. Stop Expecting to Be Happy All the Time

We all have them.

Bad days.

You get up with a bad feeling in your gut and then every. single. moment of your day proves that you should have stayed in bed.

And that happens to everyone.

Even happy moms.

They aren’t happy all the time.

So give yourself some slack, when you are in a bad mood.

But…

If you’re unhappy more often than you’re happy, then it’s time to change something.

5. Have a Morning Routine

Morning Routines sound so boring that you’re probably compelled to skip this point.

Don’t do that.

With a Morning Routine, you have time to drink coffee while it’s hot…

With a Morning Routine, you can fit in time for sports…

With a Morning Routine, you can wash your hair…

It doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple morning routine could be:

• get up before your kids
• make yourself a cup of coffee
• do your morning sports (YouTube offers a variety of videos for all timeframes and all levels – beginner to advanced)
• take a shower
• prepare breakfast
• wake up your kids
• get them dressed and let them have their breakfast
• let them brush their teeth
• give them a little playtime 
• get out of the house on time

So grab a paper and a pen and plan your morning routine…

6. Say No

Happy Moms don’t have a problem saying no.

They know they don’t have to go to every family gathering. 

They don’t have to spend time with another Mom they don’t like.

They don’t have to be the driver for everyone. 

It’s okay to say no.

It may be difficult at first (yes I also sometimes have my problem with that one), but you’ll get used to it.

That doesn’t mean you have to say no to everything.

It just means…

you don’t have to say yes to everything.

7. Practice Self-Care

Moms are naturally overgivers. If they’re not careful they give so much of themselves that they feel depleted at the end of the day.

Happy Moms know this and to balance this tendency to overgive, they give to themselves.

In other words…

Happy Moms practice self-care.

Self-care means taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental health. 

It makes you more resistant to stress and therefore happier. 

If a self-care routine is new to you, here’s a list of 9 self-care ideas for Moms that take under 10 minutes.

8. Don’t Compare Yourself To Others

It’s tempting to compare yourself to others, because we unconsciously do it since childhood.

You may have thought things like…

This person always has better grades…

That person always knows what to say, while I only turn tomatored and answer in a way too loud voice…

Now you’re probably used to it and compare yourself to other moms.

But that only leads to low self-esteem and frustration.

Celebrate your uniqueness…

You’re perfect the way you are.

And you’re way happier when you stop comparing yourself to others.

9. Surround Yourself With Positive People

That one is easily overlooked, but it’s so crucial to your mental health. Moms are very emotional and nurturing, so we easily take on the emotions surrounding us.

Therefore it’s practically impossible to be happy when everyone around you is miserable.

Does that mean that happy Moms only allow happy people in their lives? 

No, happy Moms don’t cut off their friends when they have a tough time.

But happy Moms know the difference between positive people and negative people.

So don’t overlook the importance of positive people in your life. It will rub off on you and in no time you are a happier Mom.

10. Be Flexible

With a kid, it’s so much harder to plan. Maybe their naptime collides with your family visit. Or they get sick and you have to stay home instead of going to work.

So if you’re the planner type, it’s time for you to take a step back, breathe deeply, and learn to play the cards you’ve been dealt. 

It is hard at first for all the Mommies who love their routines (yes me included) to be flexible. 

But flexible Moms are happier Moms.

Pro Tip: Make a rough emergency plan for certain scenarios. Your kid likely gets sick during the flu season. Plan ahead, who takes them to the doctor? Who stays at home? What do you do when you get sick too?

11. Live in the Present

Happy Moms live in the present. When they cuddle with their kids, they enjoy it so much that they can’t think about the grocery list. 

They are in the moment. 

They neither worry about the future nor do they think about the past.

Living in the present makes you instantly a better Mom, because you enjoy every moment to the fullest.

I hope you liked my List about 11 ways to be a happier mom.

Is there something that you’re doing already? Do you want to try some of the things that were recommended?

Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest to be the first to know when a new Post is up.

xo

Jenny