Comments on: What Makes You Joyful? http://lifeasmom.com/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html On the Road to Joyful Motherhood Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:16:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Vicky http://lifeasmom.com/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-51779 Vicky Fri, 11 Feb 2011 19:11:48 +0000 http://lifeasmom.net/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-51779 I am going to be brutally honest and admit that I struggle to find joy in the day-to-day. :( I start off on a good note, but then the kids (4 and 2) fight constantly and it wears on my nerves, to the point where I snap at the kids and am grouchy with them. I am 10 weeks from having #3 and I know I will be even more frazzled after that. *sigh* I love my kids dearly and find them to be funny, smart, creative individuals that I love spending time with. Mostly I enjoy spending time with them separately, but that's hard to do when we live in an area without any family, very few friends, and my husband travels a lot for work. I wish I knew of a way to get the kids to play nicely together instead of whining and picking fights over the silliest thing. I know my siblings and I fought a lot growing up, and now we're all really close, but I can relate to my mom right about now. :) As far as unwinding, I am doing a lot of reading right now before the baby arrives, and I try to exercise daily, too. That helps give me good endorphins, at least. :) I'll have to try the chocolate! My sister swears by a stash in her kitchen, but that's too much temptation for this pregnant mama. ;) I am going to be brutally honest and admit that I struggle to find joy in the day-to-day. :( I start off on a good note, but then the kids (4 and 2) fight constantly and it wears on my nerves, to the point where I snap at the kids and am grouchy with them. I am 10 weeks from having #3 and I know I will be even more frazzled after that. *sigh* I love my kids dearly and find them to be funny, smart, creative individuals that I love spending time with. Mostly I enjoy spending time with them separately, but that’s hard to do when we live in an area without any family, very few friends, and my husband travels a lot for work. I wish I knew of a way to get the kids to play nicely together instead of whining and picking fights over the silliest thing. I know my siblings and I fought a lot growing up, and now we’re all really close, but I can relate to my mom right about now. :)

As far as unwinding, I am doing a lot of reading right now before the baby arrives, and I try to exercise daily, too. That helps give me good endorphins, at least. :) I’ll have to try the chocolate! My sister swears by a stash in her kitchen, but that’s too much temptation for this pregnant mama. ;)

]]> By: FishMama http://lifeasmom.com/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-278 FishMama Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:15:00 +0000 http://lifeasmom.net/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-278 Thank you ALL! What a blessing this was.<br/><br/>In honor of you, I'm hosting a Chocolate Party this weekend. Hope you'll come! Thank you ALL! What a blessing this was.

In honor of you, I’m hosting a Chocolate Party this weekend. Hope you’ll come!

]]> By: Briana Almengor http://lifeasmom.com/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-258 Briana Almengor Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:36:00 +0000 http://lifeasmom.net/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-258 I needed a day to think about it. :) Here are a few things I thought of:<br/><br/>1. Shut the computer<br/><br/>2. Don't answer the phone<br/><br/>3. Stop what I'm doing or at least pause and just watch/listen to them play and try to take it in as deeply as I can, knowing these moments are passing quickly.<br/><br/>4. Take pictures<br/><br/>5. Tickle, tickle, tickle. Who doesn't smile when they hear a baby/child laughing. IT's infectious.<br/><br/>6. Put down whatever I'm doing and read to them.<br/><br/>7. Pray A LOT "Help me, Lord. Help me, Lord."<br/><br/>8. Actually read those verses I have on my cabinets that may have been put there to specifically help me in this area of fighting for joy/perspective in the midst of parenting.<br/><br/>9. Get outside with my kids. When I'm outside, I don't have to fight as much the temptation to be on the computer, answer the phone, clean, etc. I just get to enjoy God's gifts to me of my children and His creation.<br/><br/>10. (B/c I couldn't just leave it at 9) Give them to Papi (that's Spanish for Dad) and get a breather. Breaks are absolutely necessary but only truly restore joy when they're GOd given breaks rather than ones we've stolen for ourselves. I needed a day to think about it. :) Here are a few things I thought of:

1. Shut the computer

2. Don’t answer the phone

3. Stop what I’m doing or at least pause and just watch/listen to them play and try to take it in as deeply as I can, knowing these moments are passing quickly.

4. Take pictures

5. Tickle, tickle, tickle. Who doesn’t smile when they hear a baby/child laughing. IT’s infectious.

6. Put down whatever I’m doing and read to them.

7. Pray A LOT “Help me, Lord. Help me, Lord.”

8. Actually read those verses I have on my cabinets that may have been put there to specifically help me in this area of fighting for joy/perspective in the midst of parenting.

9. Get outside with my kids. When I’m outside, I don’t have to fight as much the temptation to be on the computer, answer the phone, clean, etc. I just get to enjoy God’s gifts to me of my children and His creation.

10. (B/c I couldn’t just leave it at 9) Give them to Papi (that’s Spanish for Dad) and get a breather. Breaks are absolutely necessary but only truly restore joy when they’re GOd given breaks rather than ones we’ve stolen for ourselves.

]]> By: Stephanie@AHighandNobleCalling http://lifeasmom.com/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-256 Stephanie@AHighandNobleCalling Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:06:00 +0000 http://lifeasmom.net/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-256 I love all the input here! <br/><br/>I find that I can keep my joy when I do not overschedule myself. I am a "to do" person and have a tendency to overcommit myself, then I become overwhelmed and it just goes downhill from there! Not just with outside commitments, but also with home projects. <br/><br/>I make sure I keep a calendar and I purposely mark off days that I do not want to plan anything at all (except to be a wife and mommy). I also always seek my husbands input, he seems to know better than I do what I can and cannot handle and helps me to discern what to say yes to and what to say no to! <br/><br/>Eliminating the busyness in my life has gone a long way to keeping me a joyful mama! I love all the input here!

I find that I can keep my joy when I do not overschedule myself. I am a “to do” person and have a tendency to overcommit myself, then I become overwhelmed and it just goes downhill from there! Not just with outside commitments, but also with home projects.

I make sure I keep a calendar and I purposely mark off days that I do not want to plan anything at all (except to be a wife and mommy). I also always seek my husbands input, he seems to know better than I do what I can and cannot handle and helps me to discern what to say yes to and what to say no to!

Eliminating the busyness in my life has gone a long way to keeping me a joyful mama!

]]> By: FishMama http://lifeasmom.com/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-252 FishMama Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:17:00 +0000 http://lifeasmom.net/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-252 I've been so blessed by all y'all's input! Thank you so much for chiming in and being so open! Love it! I’ve been so blessed by all y’all’s input! Thank you so much for chiming in and being so open! Love it!

]]> By: lseiter http://lifeasmom.com/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-251 lseiter Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:30:00 +0000 http://lifeasmom.net/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-251 I really needed this post today. Thank you, Jesica! I struggle the most with finding joy when my husband is traveling and I am short on sleep, patience and adult conversation. Today is one of those days and the comments here have given me some inspiration! This is what I like best about blogs, and especially posts like yours today. Tips are nice and I really use them, but I think the internet has the potential to connect us through our struggles as well as our joys and remind us that we are not alone.<br/><br/>Like some other women wrote, sneaking some quiet space and time to meditate, breathe and ask for some divine inspiration helps me to be more present in the little moments. Also, I do a little "shout out" to God in the 10seconds between when I hear my little ones call for me in the morning and when my feet hit the floor...something along the lines of "Dear God, fill me with your peace today and help me to find the joy with my boys." (I have three.) Also, women friends, my mom and a husband who lift me up and love me even when I am less than perfect are key!<br/><br/>Finally, the little ache in my heart as I see my boys grow knowing I am through with having babies (we struggled through years of infertility) stops me in my tracks and is a great motivator! Keep up the great work! I really needed this post today. Thank you, Jesica! I struggle the most with finding joy when my husband is traveling and I am short on sleep, patience and adult conversation. Today is one of those days and the comments here have given me some inspiration! This is what I like best about blogs, and especially posts like yours today. Tips are nice and I really use them, but I think the internet has the potential to connect us through our struggles as well as our joys and remind us that we are not alone.

Like some other women wrote, sneaking some quiet space and time to meditate, breathe and ask for some divine inspiration helps me to be more present in the little moments. Also, I do a little “shout out” to God in the 10seconds between when I hear my little ones call for me in the morning and when my feet hit the floor…something along the lines of “Dear God, fill me with your peace today and help me to find the joy with my boys.” (I have three.) Also, women friends, my mom and a husband who lift me up and love me even when I am less than perfect are key!

Finally, the little ache in my heart as I see my boys grow knowing I am through with having babies (we struggled through years of infertility) stops me in my tracks and is a great motivator! Keep up the great work!

]]> By: Bridget http://lifeasmom.com/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-250 Bridget Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:03:00 +0000 http://lifeasmom.net/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-250 My morning quiet time seems to keep me more peaceful all day. I notice a big difference when I do not make it a priority first thing in the morning. I am much more prone to yell when I have not spent time with the Lord and in His Word. <br/><br/>P.S. I love dotblogger's comment! My morning quiet time seems to keep me more peaceful all day. I notice a big difference when I do not make it a priority first thing in the morning. I am much more prone to yell when I have not spent time with the Lord and in His Word.

P.S. I love dotblogger’s comment!

]]> By: Joan http://lifeasmom.com/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-248 Joan Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:51:00 +0000 http://lifeasmom.net/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-248 I'm now a mom to two grown children, and I have to tell you what gives me joy today -- I have two wonderful grown children who are good, productive, polite members of society. When you get to the other side of motherhood, you suddenly realize that that was your goal the entire time -- to create good, loving, responsible adult people. And it brings such joy to your heart when you realize, despite all your imperfections as a mother to young children (and teenagers!), that there's actual proof that you did the best you could do -- and it all came out OK. I’m now a mom to two grown children, and I have to tell you what gives me joy today — I have two wonderful grown children who are good, productive, polite members of society. When you get to the other side of motherhood, you suddenly realize that that was your goal the entire time — to create good, loving, responsible adult people. And it brings such joy to your heart when you realize, despite all your imperfections as a mother to young children (and teenagers!), that there’s actual proof that you did the best you could do — and it all came out OK.

]]> By: Mrs. Querido http://lifeasmom.com/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-246 Mrs. Querido Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:40:00 +0000 http://lifeasmom.net/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-246 I'm with you, but I find that lack of sleep is a major contributor to the "Cranky Mama" I don't want to be! So I am working on going to bed at a decent hour (if the baby doesn't wake up...lol!). Which is very hard for me, because I am SO a night owl and I love the stillness the late evening brings. Such peace...sigh. But then I wake up the next morning and I am so behind on my day---then I feel rushed and out of step. I really need to go to bed earlier...lol!<br/><br/>Oh, getting a good book and reading for a brief break in motherhood. Does wonders for me!<br/><br/>Great post!<br/><br/>Blessings!<br/><br/>Mrs. Q I’m with you, but I find that lack of sleep is a major contributor to the “Cranky Mama” I don’t want to be! So I am working on going to bed at a decent hour (if the baby doesn’t wake up…lol!). Which is very hard for me, because I am SO a night owl and I love the stillness the late evening brings. Such peace…sigh. But then I wake up the next morning and I am so behind on my day—then I feel rushed and out of step. I really need to go to bed earlier…lol!

Oh, getting a good book and reading for a brief break in motherhood. Does wonders for me!

Great post!

Blessings!

Mrs. Q

]]> By: Laura http://lifeasmom.com/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-244 Laura Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:07:00 +0000 http://lifeasmom.net/2008/06/what-makes-you-joyful.html#comment-244 I try to S*L*O*W down and live in the moment. This is a challenge for me. For some reason I always seem to be racing to the next item on the 'never ending list'! I also work on eye contact with my children (I have six little ones). When they want to share something, ask me a question, tell me a joke etc... I stop and look into their eyes and I SMILE :)<br/><br/>I also occasionally recite the words, "I never did mind about the little things". I can't remember the name of the movie where I heard that....<br/><br/>Another fun thing that my children like is if we have 'singing day'. The only means of communication is by singing. I tend to do some funny opera voices, but it's very cute when you have five boys and they are all singing to you and each other....IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO YELL AT YOUR CHILDREN WHEN YOU ARE SINGING. You should try it for fun one day. I even occasionally answer the phone by saying, "This is a happy home". I just make it true.<br/>I also say little prayers throughout the day and I do eat chocolate! I try to S*L*O*W down and live in the moment. This is a challenge for me. For some reason I always seem to be racing to the next item on the ‘never ending list’! I also work on eye contact with my children (I have six little ones). When they want to share something, ask me a question, tell me a joke etc… I stop and look into their eyes and I SMILE :)

I also occasionally recite the words, “I never did mind about the little things”. I can’t remember the name of the movie where I heard that….

Another fun thing that my children like is if we have ‘singing day’. The only means of communication is by singing. I tend to do some funny opera voices, but it’s very cute when you have five boys and they are all singing to you and each other….IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO YELL AT YOUR CHILDREN WHEN YOU ARE SINGING. You should try it for fun one day. I even occasionally answer the phone by saying, “This is a happy home”. I just make it true.
I also say little prayers throughout the day and I do eat chocolate!

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