You know that saying, "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!"? Yeah, well I know it too, and I've been wondering, what if Mama ain't happy? How does that really affect the rest of the house? And how does Mama get happy if she ain't?
I am mostly a happy person. I usually wake up in a good mood and feel happy most of the time. But I'm human (and a women - so I've got hormones!) and so there are days when I just feel yucky! Or cranky or whatever! Just like everyone else.
So my question is - how do I handle this? I really don't like to feel like that. Who wants to wake up and spend all day being cranky? Not me, and I can tell you my family doesn't like it much either! But again, sometimes it happens. So what do I do about it?
How do I change my attitude?
When my kids have bad attitudes I send them to their rooms. Yes, that sounds like a wonderful punishment for me when I am cranky! PLEASE! Someone send me to my room!!!
As you can guess, with a 6 year old and a 3 year old, that isn't really a workable solution (at least not for more than about 5 minutes). So for me, it becomes an actual decision. I will have a better attitude!
Or sometimes I cheat and turn on the TV and let the kids watch a little so I can get a few minutes to myself. Or if it's nice (and this is just being honest here), I'll let them watch TV while I sit outside and enjoy the outside all alone!!
Some separation is a good thing!
Being a stay at home mom is totally different than any other job I've ever done. It's constant. It's 24/7. And it's "everywhere". I know that's a weird way to state that, but it's just like being a stay at home (the home part is the big part here) mom means that I'm always around my "job". The house needs cleaning, the dishes need doing, the cloths need washing, the beds need clean sheets, the grocery shopping needs to be done, the toilet paper rolls need changing... I mean it's always something.
Please don't get me wrong here, I LOVE my job! It's the hardest, but BEST job I've ever had. I'm blessed to be able to stay home with my children! And I wouldn't trade it for the world!
But I say all of the above to say - if I wake up in a bad mood... I don't get to just get dressed, leave the house, then "leave my home at the door of my work place." Like I did when I was teaching school. It's not like that. So how do I overcome a bad mood? How do I make it better for me AND for my family?
I'm not sure I have any real good answers, so if you have some I'd LOVE to hear them. But these are a few things I try...
Listening to some smooth jazz or classical music for a bit!
Taking a few minutes to read a short devotional, or write in my journal, or just read a few verses in the Word.
Going outside in the sunshine for a few minutes. This one I do more often in the winter, cause I get to be out in the sun a lot in the summer, but I always feel like MORE sun in the winter would help my mood!
Having a nice cup of coffee and sitting in my nice chair for a few minutes!(Usually in order for me to do this one, the kids "get to" watch TV!)
If there's time (like after the kids are in bed), taking a warm bath!
Going shopping. This one's not so good to do on a regular basis, but it's good every now and then!
Taking a walk outside!
Those are a few of the things that I've tried, that often help.
Please again know I'm not complaining here, I'm just trying to make my home a happy place to be, and sometimes I don't feel happy, but I would still like for my family to feel like home is a nice, comforting and happy place to be! Even if Mama ain't happy!
OK - so if any of you wonderful readers have suggestions or comments - please share!! I'm always happy to take advice!
2 comments:
I thought all the ones you mentioned were really great! For me, I'd add that getting by myself (if possible...and here's a word of encouragement for you - it gets more and more possible every year!) and playing piano and worshipping is a huge attitude changer. If I can't stop to do that, then even just putting on worship music in the house helps to change the atmosphere immensely, and my attitude usually follows (though, admittedly, sometimes it still takes a little longer than others!)
Having a few moments to yourself is good. But I can tell you from experience it does get better and easier to find time to yourself! And I have found myself wanting to hang out with the kids now more! A mom's job is the hardest but the most rewarding! <3
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