Inside: Every wonder how to turn a bad day around? The answer could be simpler than you think. Try these small moment fixes to be a better mom today!
Sometimes you have those sunshiny days. The baby slept through the night. Dinner is in the crock pot by 9:00 AM. The toddler is happily playing on the back porch. You’ve got a cup of coffee in hand, and you’re out of your PJs, ready to tackle anything.
But maybe today is not that day.
Are you having one of those days?
Your time is running short, your kids are running the halls, and you are running out of patience.
We’ve all been there, it’s part of the package that comes with motherhood sometimes. And I’m OK with that! These are character molding times y’all.
Let’s be honest. Not every day is going to go down in the record books as a great day.
But what can you do about it? What do you do with a day that seems to go all wrong?
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Here’s the thing, we often think it’s the big, epic moments that chart our course as a mom. Be 100% mom 100% of the time. Be the mom that does it ALL.
But…
GREAT moms know this secret: it’s the small moments that matter most.
A few seconds of being intentional will quickly add up to make your kids feel valued and loved in your home. I know your day is full and your to do list is long. But I also know this.
Being a better mom isn’t rocket science. You can start with just five seconds of being intentional with your attention and affection. It’s as simple as that!
So if today is absolutely, positively NOT one of those sunshiny days, it’s OK. You don’t have to do a complete overhaul of your parenting toolbox. You don’t have to read seven books on mindful parenting. You don’t have to start a bullet journal to be a better mom.
Just start simple. Do just one of these ideas below. I promise you won’t regret it!
It seems to me you have two simple choices, mama:
1. Thow a pity-party and spend the rest of the day wishin’ and hopin’ tomorrow turns out better. (Ha! I’ve tried this. It ain’t working.)
OR
2. Take action! Be proactive and turn the day around with these easy ideas to be a better mom in the small moments.
It’s time to turn the day around, mama! Which of these quick ideas will you use to be a better mom today?
Don’t forget to download and print this list! We all get busy, so grab the printable below to help you remember to savor the little moments with your kids.
Give an Eskimo kiss
Start a tickle fight
Say “You’re so kind.”
Say “I like the way you did that.”
Race the grocery cart down an empty aisle
Make up a secret handshake
Gaze at the moon before you enter the house at night
Take a deep breath and count to five together
Ask “What are you thankful for today?”
Dance in the car at a stoplight
Race to the nearest tree
Give a hug
Make shadow puppets on the wall
Bring your child iced tea or hot chocolate just because
Have a silly face contest
Sing the ABC song as fast as you possibly can
Make funny animal sounds
Watch an ant hard at work
Splash in a puddle
Doodle a silly drawing
Look into their eyes when you speak to them
Start a staring contest
Share a piece of chocolate
Play a speed round of Simon says
Help them find a book to read
Jump on the bed together
Write down Grandma’s phone number and let them call her
Scratch their back
Bring them a pillow to prop their feet up
Give a silly wink
Whistle a tune
Do the “wheelbarrow” walk
Tell a joke
Give a high five
Say “I love you.”
If your day is looking a little uninspired, take action!
Julie is a mama, wife, and Jesus-lover. A former classroom teacher, she spends her days playing and learning with her son and daughter. Julie is convinced that every mother needs a daily dose of Grace and Truth to become the confident mom she's meant to be.
As a grandmother who totally relates to being a busy mom, I wish I had a list like this pinned on my fridge when my child was young. Sometimes you have to be reminded to “stop and smell the roses”……they are not little for long. I’ve printed it out for my young daughter to help remind her! The children are so awesome, we busy adults sometimes miss out on these opportunities.
I love that part in this post where you say that life is made up of the small moments, this is a phrase I live by. It is in the small moments when we choose not to have a freak out at our children, or to put the laundry down to play, that really matter to our kids and our lives. I enjoyed reading your post and your insight!
Thank you Sara! I don’t always get it right as a mama, but when I do it’s usually because I remember to concentrate on one tiny moment at a time. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome!!!!!!!
What great ideas!!! You are so right. It’s the little things they will remember.
As a grandmother who totally relates to being a busy mom, I wish I had a list like this pinned on my fridge when my child was young. Sometimes you have to be reminded to “stop and smell the roses”……they are not little for long. I’ve printed it out for my young daughter to help remind her! The children are so awesome, we busy adults sometimes miss out on these opportunities.
Thanks for that encouragement Iesa! What a blessing you are to your daughter!
This is fantastic! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Renee! Glad I could encourage you today 🙂
Love Love Love! I want to print it out and put it on my fridge!
Hey I’ll make a printable! Thanks for the idea Suzi!
Julie,
I love that part in this post where you say that life is made up of the small moments, this is a phrase I live by. It is in the small moments when we choose not to have a freak out at our children, or to put the laundry down to play, that really matter to our kids and our lives. I enjoyed reading your post and your insight!
Sara
Thank you Sara! I don’t always get it right as a mama, but when I do it’s usually because I remember to concentrate on one tiny moment at a time. Thanks for sharing!
This caught my eye on Pinterest then I cringed. No one says Eskimo. They are called Inuit. Call it an Inuit kiss.
Great ideas thank you!!!