What motivates you to be the best mom ever? What keeps you motivated each day, how do you keep yourself from getting mommy-burnout. Exercise, chocolate, date night? I need a few suggestions or words of encouragement. I appreciate your help!
My parents were very neglectful and I know the pain of that. Sometimes my boys might wish I was less strict and lenient like the parents of their friends. But they know I have their best interests at heart and how much I love them. I don't want them to have to struggle like I had to.
Exercise and a healthful lifestyle help me keep my sanity! I go water skiing with my girlfriends every chance I get. Having a great husband is a huge plus.
I just always feel so much love for my two boys. I can't help but try to be the best mom I can be. I pray every night before I go to sleep for God to help me be a better mom and to protect my kids. So, I guess my faith is what helps me the most.
For my simple sanity, after the kids go to bed, I try to read something that I find interesting. I also crochet, and am trying to make my knitting a little less horrible *LAUGH*.
Chocolate makes everything better, with very VERY few exceptions.
A hobby that you find fun or interesting is always a good thing. I would not recommend anything that you look at and think "Oh, this would be great to do with the kids" because that kind of ruins the point of having something for yourself, and you might feel a good bit of "mom guilt" doing it without them.
My kids future, and being prepared for it.
Time for my self and talking with girlfriends, that keeps me sane.
But what motivates me? I really think my daughter is special. I hear it all the time from those who know her or who come into contact with her. She's better person than me, she's so good - not a good daughter but a strange "goodness" to her that I've never seen in anyone else. I just feel I need to step up and give her the best that I am able. Some days I feel good about who I am for her. Today not so much, but tomorrow is another day.
I try to remind myself daily that I and only I am responsible for my actions. Meaning, if my kids are naughty, it doesn't justify me screaming and loosing my temper cause then that's wrong as well. Same goes with my how I treat my husband. I treat him as I would want him to treat me. It's all about respect. That being said...I still screw up but I really try to practice being sorry and saying sorry when I need to. It's not my personality to do that, I like to always be right but I can't possible be all the time:) So this motivates me to be the BEST person I can be so my kids learn humility and life lessons too, especially when I have to go to them and say sorry for something. They realize no one is perfect but good character is what it's all about.
Also, we try to do a date night at least once a month. It's always fun to get out and always worth the hassle of getting the kids taken care of.
One last thing I try to do is something for myself each day that I want to do. It might be taking a break in the middle of the day to watch a show that I recorded, or not feeling guilty about taking a half hour nap. Or meet a friend for lunch or spending time on facebook. I try not to get caught up in the craziness that makes being a mom's like crazy even if it's only for 30 minutes or so.
Hope that helps. Love you kiddos, they won't be kiddos long:(
To avoid mommy burn out I quilt and walk 2.5 miles every day. I have date night with my hubby once a week with no Kids. It's important to have a good support system. Play dates will free up you time and the kids will love it.
My children's happiness motivates me to be the best mom ever. Nothing is as rewarding as knowing my kids can enjoy the simple things and laugh.
I envision my two young boys growing up to be warm, smart, respectful, strong and kind men. Every time I see them doing things nicely or kindly, etc., it is a motivator for me to keep doing what I'm doing. Every time I get a compliment or hear something nice at school, it motivates me to keep doing what I'm doing. When I am frustrated, I do have to take a time out and discipline but remind myself why I am doing it. I also have to remind myself of all the great qualities that my children have and how those things that drive me nuts, may be assets later in life. i.e.: the kid that just won't stop asking for what he wants = an adult with a lot of drive to go after their goals; a kid that is always silly = an adult with a positive outlook on life, ... We all have faults but I love my kids and am motivated to help them to be the best they can be. They are so impressionable when they are young and I remember that as a child, my parents always tried to make my childhood the best it can be. I want the same for my kids and that motivates me too! I have a friend who says that we all make mistakes with our kids but I'm going to try and do the best I can to traumatize their adult lives as little as possible!!! Give yourself a break once in a while too! You deserve it. :)
This very short video helps me a lot:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?autoplay=true&index...
Also, the chocolate, exercise and date night, and having a hobby or some sort of outlet, and taking the time to enjoy my kids... those all help :)
