5 Ways to Be a Happier Parent

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As a parent, the day to day responsibilities of life can get in the way of being happy. Taking time to enjoy the moment seemingly becomes less important as you think about the sink full of dishes or the laundry that needs to be washed. It feels like there’s always something that needs to be done and that can distract you from truly being present. 

 

However, over time you’ll realize that most of the things that annoy you as a new parent really don’t matter. You can make a conscious effort to find moments of happiness and let the rest go. 

 

How do you keep joy flowing, even when you’re flat worn out? Here are a few tips to help you find more happiness in your life, and remember, it’s the small things that matter the most.

 

  1. Trust yourself.

Today parents have quick access to enormous amounts of information from experts. This creates an expectation that every problem has a “right” answer. The truth is, even experts struggle with their children. Parenting is not an exact science. Happy parents engage their children based on their experience, judgment and values. They are willing to go against the grain of what everyone else is doing and pursue the long-term gain. They learn to say no when they need to. After mistakes, they regroup and try something else. Use it as an opportunity to model for your child how to fix mistakes.

 

  1. Teach kids to do things for themselves.

People who describe themselves as happier parents typically move from greater involvement when their child is younger to encouraging independence when their child is older. Make parenting an evolution — for example, they wake their child up for school when they are young. When their child is older, they buy them an alarm clock and expect them to get up on their own. If they are a little late for school, so be it. Use this as an opportunity to be a more helpful, calmer version of yourself.

 

  1. Allow your child to experience consequences.

Stop trying to cushion the consequences of our child’s actions. Instead, focus on coaching them through challenges and helping them learn from the experience. It empowers your child and helps you focus on what you can control. Failure, difficulty and obstacles are what create and hone the skills and abilities they need to be successful as adults.

 

  1. Don’t always put your child first.

Happier parents don’t put their child’s everyday needs above their own. When it comes to things like dinner, weekend activities or even vacations, they don’t make their choices solely based on what their child wants. Happy parents have their own preferences, and they prioritize those things. Just because your child wants something, it does not mean you have to drop everything you are doing to make it happen.

 

  1. Look for the joyful moments.

Simply put, try to soak in the good times — like the small, everyday family moments or a beautiful sunset even when the house is a mess. Make it a point to notice the laughter more than the tantrum, and create a familiar path in your mind to focus on the joyful stuff. Stopping to look up is not just a metaphor. When you look up at the horizon, it helps your brain to see the broader picture.

 

5 Easy Ways To Practice Mindfulness

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Mindfulness is a major buzzword these days that represents a state of living in the moment. Especially as moms, many of us think of mindfulness as a difficult pursuit requiring time, commitment and maybe even training. But that doesn’t have to be true. Mindfulness is possible for all parents!

 

The best way to get better at noticing when you’ve left the present is to practice mindfulness in small ways on a daily basis. Here are five simple tips to get you started.

 

1. Begin Each Day With Gratitude

If the first thing you do each morning is check your phone, don’t worry, you are not alone. Instead of checking social notifications or emails, take out some time to shift your focus towards gratitude. Ask your children what they are grateful for every day. Just because you’re the parent don’t forget to add your favorite!  

 

2. Treasure The Current Moment

Enjoy your present without connecting the events with your past and future. You don’t have to worry about anything because things unfold naturally. Peel off all the insecurities and just concentrate on the benefits of family. Mindfulness means being aware of what is happening in the present moment. In order to live this moment, you have to love your surroundings and your life. Make a wish list of all the things that are close to your heart, and try to do something that brings you pure joy every day. 

 

3. Accept Things As They Are

It is only human to wish for better things, and it’s hard to be completely satisfied. But a mindful person doesn’t judge their present conditions. By accepting things, we realize their true worth.

Build up your self-confidence by leaning into your own unique powers and don’t try to modify your true personality. Surround yourself with people who accept you as you are and have faith in you. Do not try to change things because you can’t accept them. Change only those things in which you enjoy the whole process of learning new things.

 

4. Baby Steps Are Okay

You can also improve mindfulness by taking small steps. Give preference to quality over quantity and remember not to rush into things. Take small breaks during the day whenever you can. Spend an afternoon at the park with the kids and enjoy time being outdoors. Leave the laundry for tomorrow when you are too tired to get through your full to-do list. Make small targets and celebrate all the little achievements along the way. In the long run, there is no shortcut to a successful life. Slow and steady wins the race.

 

5. End Each Day On A Positive Note

Before going to sleep, make it a habit to recollect the sweet moments of your day. Appreciate the simple ones, like sharing a PB&J with your child, and be thankful for the gifts in your life like your family, specifically your partner, and your home. Don’t waste time getting irritated by the stressful moments that are bound to happen, as this will only create more stress. Instead, analyze the less joyful moments of the day and look out for a positive solution for tomorrow.