Times have changed since the 1950s when June Cleaver held court in her kitchen. As actress Meryl Streep puts it, "Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to its essentials." Many mothers now work outside of the home, children participate in a host of activities and spending quality time together as a family may not happen every day. Motherhood faces new challenges in today's society but the rewards remain unchanged.
Set Realistic Expectations
Many women enter into motherhood expecting everything to go smoothly---the house is always clean, the perfect little baby sleeps through the night, and every day is filled with sunshine and happiness. Once you let go of unrealistic expectations your life as a mother will get much easier.
Be Consistent
Remember that your job as a mother is to provide care for and nurture your children. Their job is to test your limits. If you learn nothing else as a parent, learn to be consistent. Contrary to popular belief, children relish and seek out boundaries and discipline and can become difficult when they are not available. When they have the knowledge that a certain action they might take will bring out a specific reaction in you, child rearing becomes a bit easier.
Listen
There is a difference between hearing what someone says to you and really listening. Take the time to listen to what your children and your spouse say to you. You will have happier relationships with them because of it.
Keep a Sense of Humor
Writer and humorist Erma Bombeck once said, "If you can laugh at it, you can live with it." Very little ever goes as planned when raising children. Accept that and learn to laugh at the little things that happen rather than let them get to you.
Make Time for Yourself
Many mothers struggle with just getting through the day as an endless supply of chores clamor for their time and attention. Take time every day to focus on you. That can mean a catnap, phone call with a good friend or simply browsing your favorite website. Mother and author of "Raising Happiness" Dr. Christine Carter notes that, "When we strip motherhood of play and flow...our mood deteriorates. It isn't just worry about our children and endless housework that make us anxious and unhappy; it's that we aren't actually having fun anymore."
Participate
Too many busy mothers get through the day by skimming the surface of everything that needs to get done. Learn to let the little chores go and actively participate in your child's day and your marriage.
Learn Patience
We have all heard the old saying, "Patience is a virtue." It is more than a virtue for busy mothers. It is a necessity--an invaluable commodity that can make or break your day. When the unexpected happens learn to take a deep breath, count to ten and smile. Your family will thank you for it.
Let Go of the Guilt
Whether you work outside of the home or are a stay-at-home mom, motherhood leaves plenty of opportunities for guilt. Do what you can do and leave the guilt for where it belongs--indulging in little guilty pleasures like a chocolate bar or occasional manicure.
Forget Perfection
Founder and CEO of Stroller Strides, Lisa Druxman advises, "You don't have to be Suzy homemaker to be a good mom. Let go of your need to be Martha Stewart." Learn to distinguish between what absolutely needs to get done and what you can let go of or you may be setting yourself up for failure.
Stop and Smell the Roses
Slow down a bit and take the time to appreciate what you have. Instead of rushing around the morning trying to get the day started, sit down with a cup of coffee and relax. Harvard University psychology professor Dr. Daniel Gilbert recommends that you "Take ten seconds every hour to look at what you're doing from a higher place."
