When It All Works

I've been thinking a lot lately about what makes a good day in our house. It seems that so much of a good day starts with Momma. If Mom is firing on all cylinders than we all seem to work better. In that vain I have started paying attention to my "secrets of success". What am I doing right on the days that work and how can I continue to do those things.

Here is what I have found are my keys to Mothering Success.

1. Drink enough caffeine. I know, I know. It's a lousy place to start but it works for me. A caffeinated Momma is a happy Momma in this house!

2. Spend at least 20 minutes with each kid, by themself, a day. This is easier than it sounds. Not nursing or doing homework or bathing but real time. Read a book THEY choose or a game THEY want to play.

3. Eat dinner together. 

4. Plan dinner ahead of time. I find that when I wait until the last minute to get dinner together then from about 4:30 until 7 are insane in our house. The days when I use the crock pot end up leading to the quietest evenings.

5. Sleep more than 5 hours but less than 8. Not everyone does better with more sleep. I am one of those weird people. Too much sleep, for me, means dragging all day long.

6. Write something. I love to write. I wish I could write more productively, for longer periods of time and with a greater purpose. However, as a working Mom I don't have time to sit down and write my first novel. I find that sitting down to blog, write a letter, write a note to one of my kiddo's, something... gives me a daily catharsis.

7. Go Outside. I think we have established that I am a much nicer person in the warmer months. I am by far more "on my game" when it's above 60 degrees. I have found that even when it's 30 degrees and freezing we all function better if we get a little fresh air. Just because it's cold is no excuse to hide inside, even if we want to.

8. Get some exercise. Many mornings I bundle up Baby Boy and walk with my Mom. It is not always the thing I most want to do at 8 in the morning but I find that after a few miles I feel more energized.

9. Take pictures. I am by no means a great taker of photos. I do, however, LOVE to take pictures. Whether it's on my phone or with my camera a good day is one that I get "on film". At the end of the day I love showing my hubs all the shots I got from the day. I find that looking at the smiles and hugs makes me remember the better parts of the day.

10. Reach out. Whether it's a text to a friend or an e-mail to a family member. It might just be an unexpected hug to my husband or a cuddle with my kids. Human contact is the thing that brings the quickest smile to my face.

There are a lot that didn't make it to the list. Prayer. Me Time. Getting out of the house. They're all important. I think it's just important to think about what works for me and how can I repeat it!