The following post is from Kat of Inspired To Action: 5 Simple Ways to Be a Peaceful Mom
We all admire those calm, cool, and collected moms who handle a misbehaving child or a surprise dinner guest with perfect grace.
Sometimes it feels like they are a different breed.
But they aren’t. We are all capable of being peaceful moms. All it takes is practice. Here 5 simple things we can do today to be more peaceful.
Table of Contents
1. Acknowledge our role.
Peaceful moms, remember that THEY are the mom. We are the grown-ups.
It’s goofy, but I like to imagine being a “wall of jello,” absorbing all of my kids’ crazy childhood emotions. I think it’s so helpful when we remember that our children need us to be calm and not simply shoot even more emotion into each situation.
We succeed when we focus on responding to our children rather than reacting. We have the impact we desire when we focus on averting power struggles instead of simply winning them. And we show our strength and bring peace to our homes when we model the attitude and facial expressions we want our children to have.
Simple start: Today, test yourself to see how long you can remain calm. 10 minutes? 1 hour? or 2 hours? Half a day? The whole day? Do whatever it takes to stay calm for longer stretches each time, and note the things that set you off.
2. Get prepared.
Peaceful moms are prepared. I love what Ann Voskamp says, “Only amateurs are in a hurry.” “Life isn’t an emergency.” Too often, we hurt our children in our hurry. Peaceful moms, put down their book a little sooner, wake up a little earlier, and start the project now instead of later.
Instead of hurrying our children when it’s time to go, peaceful moms hurry themselves when it’s time to begin.
Simple start: Start everything 15 minutes early today. You’ll be amazed at how that little bit of preparation impacts your attitude and your home.
3. Give grace.
Peaceful moms don’t give up on themselves. They recognize each day is a fresh start. Peaceful moms give grace to their children as well. “Let’s try that again…” is often heard in their homes. Peaceful moms don’t worry about what they did wrong today. They focus on what they could do better tomorrow.
Simple start: Instead of issuing consequences today, try asking your children, “How could you have done that differently? Now try that.”
4. Believe the best.
Peaceful moms believe the best about their children (and themselves). People rise up to what they think others see in them. The peaceful mom hopes the best, expects the best, and believes the best about her children.
Simple start: Tell your child 3 things throughout the day that you admire about them. Watch them rise up.
5. Give thanks.
A peaceful mom is thankful for her children and her circumstances and situations as much as possible. Living with an attitude of thanks increases our contentment and peace.
Simple start: Start a gratitude journal today. Write down 3 things you are thankful for regarding your home and family. Consider that there is always someone in the world who dreams of being in your situation.
Anyone is capable of being a peaceful mom. You are certainly capable of it! All it takes is one simple step at a time.
Do you struggle with being a peaceful mom? What is one step you can take today?
| Kat blogs at Inspired To Action, a site dedicated to helping moms develop the habits and skills they need to effectively manage their homes and raise children who are prepared to change the world. Kat loves music, running, technology, Jesus and Tex-Mex food. Not necessarily in that order. | |
