12 Ways To Become A Better Mom

All mothers are good. Everything they do and every choice they make are for the sake of their family and children. However, sometimes, no matter how hard they try, the house is still a mess, the laundry keeps piling up, their kids still get F in school, and they still run out of milk and eggs in the fridge.

Can you relate? Are these situations familiar to you? No matter how bad you feel right now, don’t think that you’re a bad parent. Here are ways to help you become better at motherhood. 

  1. Create routines. When your kids know what to expect throughout the day, it will eliminate arguments, confusions, and violent reactions from them, leading to a smoother turn out of events.
  1. Plan ahead. Before a new week starts, organize your schedule and plan what you need to do for the week. Identify which days you need to do grocery, pay bills, or bring the kids to soccer practice.
  1. Ask for help. Hire a nanny or babysitter if you need to. Try to take some things off your plate.
  1. Teach your kids responsibilities. In addition to the previous tip, encourage your kids to help you with simple house chores, like fixing the bed or packing away their toys after using them.
  1. Take a break. When everything seems overwhelming, take time out to breathe, meditate, and/or drink your coffee in peace. This will help you regain your energy — and sanity.
  1. Play with your kids. You don’t want to be tagged as the parent who has no time for her kids. So spend some quality time with your children and join them in their playtime.
  1. Do one thing at a time. Avoid multitasking. You will accomplish a lot more things if you do them one after another.
  1. Take care of yourself. Keep your body and mind healthy to be able to carry out your responsibilities as a mother better and more comfortably.
  1. Talk to other moms. Having a support group can help reduce feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety, and provide a higher level of well-being.
  1. Communicate openly with your spouse and children. Talk about concerns in the family and how you can all deal with them effectively.
  1. Create memorable experiences. Instead of splurging on material gifts, spend on vacations, trips, and adventures that you and your family will enjoy.
  1. Be a friend and confidant. More than a parent, make sure that you can be someone they can share stories with, be comfortable with, and trust with their problems — no matter how petty they are.

There is no perfect parent, but you can always strive to be better for your children. You got this, momma!

Self-Care Ideas for a Perfect Day

It doesn’t take much to create a perfect day. All you need is to make a decision to be happy and healthy and the rest will follow. 

Make everyday perfect by trying some of these self-care practices that will help you create a happy, balanced, and stress-free day.

  1. Design your day. You can start the night before by designing the next day on how you want it to go. This will save you time in the morning and it will help you have an organized day.
  1. Relax in bed. When you wake up, take a few minutes in bed just to relax. Do not just jump up and start your day in a rush.
  1. Listen to music. Create a feel-good playlist that you can listen to while you get ready in the morning and throughout the day.
  1. Wear your favorite clothes. Wear the clothes and accessories that make you feel good about yourself. 
  1. Take a scenic walk. Try taking a walk through the park on your way to work or school. Being closer to nature enhances the mood.
  1. Exercise. Moving your body increases the happy hormones in your body called endorphins. It can also energize you for the whole day.
  1. Eat what you like. Eat the foods that make you happy but control your portions. Choose healthy alternatives when you can.
  1. Have an hour to yourself. Schedule an hour during the day when you can just do whatever you please. 
  1. Take a long relaxing bath. Wind down and soak your stress away with a relaxing bath. Engage the senses by using scents and relaxing music.
  1. Be grateful. Before ending the day, write in your journal all the things that you’re grateful for during the day.

Before the day is over, design how you want the next day to go and do it all over again. 

11 Powerful Ways To Overcome Self-Doubt

11 Powerful Ways to Overcome Self-Doubt

Self-doubt holds people back from seizing opportunities. It makes it harder for people to start or finish the things that need to be done. And unfortunately, it happens to everyone at some point. 

The next time you find yourself slowly drowning in self-doubt, don’t give in and use one or more of these powerful ways to successfully overcome it: 

1. Say “no” immediately. As soon as you feel self-doubt creeping in, say “no” or “stop” in your mind or out loud to put an end to it right away. 

2. Learn from your past. You’ve been here before. And like you conquered it in the past, you will triumph against self-doubt once more. 

3. Talk to a trusted friend about it. Call your BFF, spouse, or trusted family member to give you a boost in spirit. 

4. Compare yourself to yourself, not to others. Comparing yourself to others is unnecessary and will only worsen your self-doubt. 

5. Keep a journal. Writing down your emotions makes it easier to deal with them than fighting them in your mind. 

6. People are not waiting for you to fail. Nobody is keeping a record of your failures. Remember, everyone is already too busy with themselves so focus on yourself instead. 

7. Don’t overthink others’ comments. Sometimes, what others say may not be directed to you in the first place. Avoid overthinking as it can only worsen self-doubt. 

8. Do something you love. Take a break to watch a movie, do some yoga, or do anything to uplift your mood. 

9. Remember that setbacks are temporary. Everyone goes through hard times and life goes on regardless. Your self-doubt will pass, and you’ll be okay again. 

10. Failure is necessary for success. Don’t put yourself down when you fail, it only means that you are trying. So keep going and eventually, you will succeed. 

11. Take it as a chance for personal growth. Change your perspective and think of self-doubt as a realization that you need to improve yourself. 

You are not alone in battling self-doubt; everyone goes through it and will go through it eventually. Know that you will come back stronger every time and these tips will help you survive through it each time with ease. 

5 Productivity Tips for Busy Parents

5 Productivity Tips for Busy Parents

As a working parent, you’re no stranger to stress and that perpetual feeling of not having enough hours in a day to get everything done. And that’s fine. We all have a lot to juggle, and some of us are better at it than others.

If you’re not feeling too satisfied with how you’re managing your responsibilities at home, however, then it may be time to change things up so you can tackle your days with more efficiency and overall satisfaction.

Here are some of my favorite productivity tips as a working mom, which I know will also come in handy for busy dads:

1. Anticipate Interruptions as a Constant

If you have kids and have no one to take care of them on a fixed schedule (or even if you do), you need to view interruptions as an inevitable part of our parenting lives. Things won’t always go as planned, and in some cases, that can be a good thing. But more often than not, these interruptions will throw situations at us that we may not be fully equipped to handle. This is where tip no. 2 will come in extremely handy.

2. Be Resilient

Parents, we really need to be good at adjusting to different situations. And I’m not just saying this because of interruptions. Life with kids is just filled with different things that can creep out of nowhere, both for better or worse. And if we want to stay productive, resilience is key. 

People who have trouble adjusting to changes often suffer more consequences because they struggle to move forward.

The less receptive we are to changes, the less we are able to use our problem-solving skills, which is often our best tool for overcoming challenging situations.

3. Have an “Off” Switch

It’s an amazing thing to love our careers and business, but if we’re not careful, we may suffer from the “half-on-half-off syndrome”. When we’re doing something, it’s important to be fully present in the moment.

For example, if we’re spending time with the kids, it’s important to have our attention and thoughts with them and not on our work. Juggling multiple thoughts in our heads and never switching off can lead to burnout. 

4. Use Tools

Every parent eventually feels like there’s just not enough time to tackle everything on a given day. With tools, however, it can be easier and faster to structure our tasks and to-do lists so we can stay on top of our responsibilities.

Even something as simple as a note-taking tool such as Evernote can do wonders. If you’re looking for something a little more complex, you can even try out Asana or Trello. For managing your finances, some banks even have apps that automate your savings and bills. 

5. Form Good Habits

Our daily actions are all governed by habits. Some of our habits help us perform at our best as parents and/or providers, while some are getting in the way of us taking care of the important things. 

A few very good tips for forming good habits is to make them simple, obvious, and easily trackable. Remember: it isn’t a habit yet until we’ve ingrained them into our everyday routine.

Try keeping a scorecard to provide you with an overview of your progress. It’s also a great way to keep yourself motivated to continue the activity until it becomes a habit.

Final Tip

Remember that creating new habits takes repetition. You can’t learn to manage your household better overnight, and you can’t expect to do it perfectly either. Just don’t forget to celebrate the small wins, and learn to reward yourself for the progress that you’re making!

How to Teach Your Kids to Clean Up After Themselves

Teaching-Kids-Clean-Up

A theme you may have consistently come across on raising kids is the value of teaching them independence. Being our children’s guides doesn’t mean following them around with a bucket and washcloth, ready to pick up after them or clean up all the mess they’re making.

As a mother, it’s always been a goal of mine to make my kids feel capable and independent at a young age. I know it’s common for many parents to want to coddle their kids. But if we want to impart healthy habits and practices, it doesn’t hurt to teach them how to clean up their own mess.

In fact, our kids might see it as a fun activity, and they’ll be more likely to proactively help you keep a clean and organized home. Who doesn’t want that?

Below, I’m sharing my top four favorite tips for helping my kids build the positive habit of cleaning up after themselves, which I’m sure my fellow moms will appreciate.

Let’s dive in!

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1. Make Clean Ups Fun

One clever approach I’ve seen other moms do that helps kids build the habit of cleaning is to create a reward system. You can create tokens to give to your kids each time they finish the task properly, such as a gold star or a sticker of their favorite cartoon character (Disney characters are often fun for this!).

Next, you can either make a colorful “good deeds board” where they can display all the stickers they’ve earned, or you can just let your kids put them in a jar they’ve decorated themselves.

Another approach you can try, if you have more than one child you’re teaching to clean up, is to make it a race. Whoever finishes first can choose the flavor of ice cream the family gets to enjoy, or other fun similar reward ideas.

2. Be A Good Role Model

But remember that kids learn faster from copying us. So next time you’re vacuuming the floor or even just folding their clothes, try humming a tune as you go. Not only will your kids start to see the fun side of cleaning up, but you’ll also notice your mood lighten as you tap into your own inner child.

We can’t expect our kids to have fun cleaning up if we hardly ever show a smile on our faces as we’re doing the same tasks. Of course, I know that stress and exhaustion can make it extremely difficult for us to show a happy face doing the dishes or laundry. I have those days as well!

Teaching-Kids-Clean-Up-2

3. Create Guidelines

Kids are smart, and often incredibly naughty. If you don’t set boundaries, they’ll often think they can get away with whatever mischievous plans they can come up with.

So if you’re just starting out to teach your kids to clean up, it’s going to make it easier on them (and on you) if you create guidelines. Rules such as “no eating on the bed” or “put your dirty dishes in the kitchen sink” can create a good foundation for your child to grow up as independent and capable.

4. Be Consistent

It sounds simple, but oftentimes, we parents have trouble remaining firm on a lot of things that should remain consistent in our children’s lives. This applies to teaching kids how to clean.

Will this ensure a smooth and easy time with your kids? Definitely not. In fact, expect some tantrums and violent oppositions on days when your kids just aren’t in the mood to listen to you. But it’s still important to show them that you’re more than capable of staying consistent with your rule. It teaches them just how important cleaning is, and will eventually become a good habit for them as they grow up.

Final Words

As a mother of three beautiful yet often energetic kids, it can be hard to teach them the importance of having a clean and tidy home. But the good news is that it’s easier to teach our kids the habit of cleaning now that they’re a bit younger compared to when they hit puberty.

So, if you do find yourself having trouble keeping up with the cleaning, you’ll be happy to know that your kids can help you out with some of the lighter work!

10 Work-Life Balance Tips All Mompreneurs Should Know

Everyone strives for a work-life balance. Moms who take care of the children round-the-clock while running a business find it harder to balance life and often forget about themselves. 

It’s important to remember that if you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of others. Here’s how you can achieve work-life balance better as a mompreneur: 

  1. Keep a list of your priorities. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by to-dos and chores but when you have a clear set of priorities in mind, you know what things to get done first. 
  1. Make advance preparations. Whenever you find extra time, like when the baby went to sleep early, prepare in advance the visuals for your meeting or the weeks’ worth of family meals. 
  1. There’s no shame in asking for help. If someone at home is available to wash the dishes or sweep the floors, delegate the tasks to them and explain that you needed an extra hand today. 
  1. Make a clear barrier between work and family time. Keep your work at the office and maintain the home space for family time only. If possible keep your phone away so you won’t get distracted. 
  1. Connect with other mompreneurs who understand. Join support groups of moms who are in the same situation as you. Learning from like-minded people will help you grow as a mother and entrepreneur. 
  1. Choose healthier food options. It might be hard to squeeze in a workout when you’re so busy with the kids and your business. You can still stay healthy by eating whole foods instead of fast food. 
  1. Keep a transparent relationship with your partner. When you feel overwhelmed, let your partner know. When you need extra help at home, let your partner know. Communication is key in a healthy relationship. 
  1. Take a break whenever you need to. Ask your partner or get a babysitter to watch the kids while you take a few hours to yourself and do what you love. 
  1. Give yourself enough credit. The last thing you need is to doubt yourself. Appreciate all that you have done and how far you’ve come. 
  1. Learn to accept the lack of balance. The perfect work-life balance doesn’t exist. Everyone is just doing their best to balance personal life with work life. Accept that this is enough to be happy. 

Having a work-life balance is not a luxury, it is a right everyone deserves. Busy mompreneurs deserve it more than anyone so, do yourself a favor and follow our ten tips to achieve work-life balance. 

Daily Routine with a Toddler: Sample Timeline on How to Spend the Day with Your Child

If you’re a new mom, you probably asked other moms in your peers what their daily routine with a toddler is. If you’re a seasoned mom with many kids, you probably receive tons of toddler routine questions every day. 

Needless to say, routines help moms with toddlers get through their day smoothly while making sure their babies’ needs are met. Here is a sample daily routine for moms raising toddlers. 

7:00 A.M. Baby wakes up and eats breakfast

Mom wakes up earlier to prepare breakfast and has it ready by the time the kids wake up. 

8:00 A.M. Bath time

A nice cool bath will get the kids ready for a whole day of fun activities. 

8:30 A.M. Independent play in the toddler room

Toddlers can develop their imagination with self-play using age-appropriate toys. 

9:30 A.M. Snack time while watching educational videos

Mom takes a break from the household chores and the baby eats snacks while being entertained by kids’ songs on the TV. 

11:30 A.M. Lunch time

Baby must be famished from playtime so he should eat a healthy meal of fruits and vegetables as prepared by mom. 

12:30 P.M. Nap time for baby (and mommy too)

It’s time to take a break from the busy morning. Mommy can take a well-deserved nap while the baby dozes off too. 

3:00 P.M. Time for afternoon snacks 

Mom has prepared yummy snacks just in time for the baby to wake up from his afternoon nap. This will energize him for more playtime. 

3:30 P.M. Ride a bike at the park

It’s time to get some sun and play with other kids outdoors. 

5:30 P.M. Dinner time

An early dinner of vegetables will replenish your playful toddler’s energy and give him enough time to digest the food before bedtime. 

7:30 P.M. Read bedtime stories and cuddle time

Give your baby lots of hugs and kisses as you read through his favorite book. 

8:00 P.M. Bedtime

Lights out at 8:00 P.M. to give your toddler enough sleep time for another busy day in the morning. 

You can take our daily routine for toddlers as a guide to create your own or follow it completely. Just remember that each toddler is unique and might have different needs from other kids so each daily routine must be designed by moms especially for their own family. 

Five Steps To Help You Stop Worrying

Constant worrying is not only counterproductive, but it also takes away your peace of mind thus causing serious health and mental issues in the long run. If you’re used to worrying for years, reversing your thoughts and behavior can be tricky. Here are some of the easiest steps you can take to turn your negative thoughts around.

  1. Relax. Restore the calmness of the body and mind by doing things that relax you. Try meditating every morning, getting a massage, taking a long bath, or just simply deep breathing. Try this regularly to reset your mind and refocus your thoughts.
  1. Get organized. Schedule some “worry time” every day. This is when you allow yourself to feel the anxiety by focusing on all the thoughts that worry you. By scheduling worry time, you get to free your mind from worry and enjoy the rest of the day and be more productive.
  1. Voice it out. Most of the time, you don’t even understand what you’re so worried about. It will be helpful to express your worrisome thoughts by journaling or talking to friends or family. Putting your thoughts into words can help you gain a better perspective.
  1. Practice gratitude. One way to reprogram your mindset is to focus on the things that you’re grateful for. When you worry, the negative thoughts tend to pile up until you’re consumed with negativity. By practicing gratitude, you’re retraining your brain to look at the positive side of things
  1. Take care of your body. An overactive brain that leads to overthinking can be a sign of an unhealthy body. Make sure you get enough sleep, nourishment, and exercise to keep your body and mind healthy to banish the worries away.

It’s always a good idea to talk to a professional when you’re too consumed by anxiety that it prevents you from living your days normally.

Planning to Become a Nurse? Here are Night Shift Benefits of Nurses

Being put on night shift feels like a death sentence for nurses who never experienced it or have always considered themselves as “morning people” rather than “night owls”. But night shifts are not as horrible as most people think they would be. In fact, many seasoned nurses would prefer a night shift more than anything. 

There are many reasons to love the night shift: 

  1. You can enjoy higher pay.

Because night shifts are not the usual working hours for a person, healthcare workers assigned in this shift have the privilege of higher compensation. 

  1. You are available for family activities.

Being at home during the day means you can prepare meals for the kids to take to school, go on a quick trip to the park with the family, or just tend to their overall needs. 

  1. You get a more relaxed patient routine.

At night, there are fewer doctors that you need to meet during their rounds and no visitors for patients that you need to accommodate. You can focus on the tasks you have at hand better.

  1. You can build closer work relationships.

Because the atmosphere is more relaxed and the work is less hectic during a night shift, you can build tighter bonds with your workmates. 

  1. You can relax better with fewer people on the floor.

While nurses are used to the families and friends of the patients who have endless questions and requests, they won’t deny that it can cause stress. Not having to deal with that during a night shift can put you in a calm disposition for work. 

It may feel like your chances of achieving work-life balance is officially over once you are put on the night shift. But with the many benefits of a night shift, you might have just done yourself a favor. The night shift has made many nurses happier in their careers and it could do the same to you too. 

8 Tips for Moms When They’re Feeling Overwhelmed

Moms, whether new to motherhood or not, feel burnt out sometimes—it’s completely normal! When the stress starts to build up and you feel like nearing a “mommy meltdown”, take a step back and follow these eight tips to help you overcome it. 

  1. Take a whole day to yourself. One out of the 365 days in a year is not too much. Don’t be ashamed to ask for a break when you need it the most. Rest, go shopping, or do anything you love. 
  1. Learn to say “no”. There’s no shame in saying “no” when your partner asks you to cook tonight or go to the PTA meeting. Explain that you are preoccupied with other things at the moment. 
  1. Ask for help when you need it. Ask your partner to watch the kids just for a few hours so you can take a break. Delegate the tasks at home to lighten your load. 
  1. Skip one chore, just for today. Order take-out instead of cooking. Get the laundry service instead of washing the clothes yourself. Even a few minutes of freedom can put you in a better mood. 
  1. Reach out to friends and family. Communicate consistently with the people you trust and let them know how you feel. Venting out your feelings can help reduce stress. 
  1. Buy yourself something you’ve been wanting. It’s okay to save money for the kids’ needs and wants but buying yourself a new dress or bag won’t hurt the family. You deserve it, buy it. 
  1. Avoid caffeinated beverages. Coffee and some types of tea have high levels of caffeine that can induce anxiety and palpitations. Lay off the caffeine to clear your mind. 
  1. Know when to see your doctor. Being overwhelmed is normal and more common than you think. But some moms, especially new moms, experienced postpartum depression and might need medical intervention to get better. 

Moms shouldn’t feel guilty about taking care of themselves. You are already doing so much for the family, so a quick “me time” is just a little treat you deserve. Follow the rest of our tips above to avoid getting overwhelmed and stay the happy mommy that you are.