Steady Mom

Meet Jamie

I'm Jamie, a mama on a journey to become a more intentional, professional mother to my three little people: a six-year-old daughter and two four-year-old sons (not twins!). At my blog, Steady Mom, I write about getting organized, retaining enthusiasm, learning together, and making memories. Motherhood doesn't always come naturally to me, which is why I blog about both life's joys and its challenges. In between moments of loving and learning with my kiddos, you can find me with my nose stuck in a satisfying book. I focus daily on enjoying the journey - it just doesn't get any better than this.

She blogs at Steady Mom

A peek post below

Five Strategies to Help a Moody Mama

Photo by gwerbisky

Last week presented a few challenges around here: sick children, discipline issues, planning a birthday, and a few hormones thrown in for fun. When that combination strikes, life gets interesting. I certainly don't have it all together when it comes to overcoming tough times, but here are a few strategies that have helped me get through some difficult days.

1. Let your kids watch extra videos.

Photo by Giovanni Giusti

We limit television as much as possible. We don't have cable and our kids have never seen a commercial. But we do have a few educational shows on DVD. I've found that things go better for everyone on a hard day if I let them watch a little more than they normally would.

This idea used to make me feel guilty, so instead I would try to press on as usual with the kids. But I often ended up irritable and impatient. I've since decided that it's wise to respond to the cues my body sends me, and it's better for the children to watch good quality television than be on the receiving end of an angry mommy.

2. Don't try to figure out why you're emotional.

This strategy does not come easily to introspective mamas. It's my natural tendency to analyze the heck out of myself, and search for some amazing cure to guarantee I'll never have a bad day again! But for me, I find if I pray and accept my imperfect feelings, normality returns more quickly. Think positively. Remind yourself that emotions are temporary - they don't define you.

3. Lower your standards, but accomplish at least one thing.

Strip down to the minimum expectations of what you must do just to get by. At the same time, though, try to get at least one task accomplished. This alone sometimes pulls me out of a difficult slump.

4. Distract yourself - read and relax.

I need to turn my analyzing mind off on hard days. Reading fiction helps me get lost in someone else's story - it's a positive distraction. Reading non-fiction (i.e. self-help) only makes me think about myself more and leads to more negative feelings. So grab a new novel and dive in. Or do whatever activity relaxes you.

5. Go to bed early.

Photo by Katherine Raz

Often we run our batteries down, but try to keep going - this only leads to more difficult days. Our body signals us when we need rest. When we ignore those signals our whole family suffers. So as much as possible listen to those cues and get some sleep.

Everything will look better in the morning.

I'd love to hear your thoughts - How do you handle difficult days?

(For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, visit We are THAT Family.)

 

I'm also loving

The Importance of Reading to Your Children

Why You Shouldn't Adopt

Meet My Students

Go give her some love :) 

and if you haven't already

share The LOVELY List

and comment here for a chance to win a LOVELY cruiser bike!

xoxo Brandy

Photo by gwerbisky

Last week presented a few challenges around here: sick children, discipline issues, planning a birthday, and a few hormones thrown in for fun. When that combination strikes, life gets interesting. I certainly don't have it all together when it comes to overcoming tough times, but here are a few strategies that have helped me get through some difficult days.

1. Let your kids watch extra videos.

Photo by Giovanni Giusti

We limit television as much as possible. We don't have cable and our kids have never seen a commercial. But we do have a few educational shows on DVD. I've found that things go better for everyone on a hard day if I let them watch a little more than they normally would.

This idea used to make me feel guilty, so instead I would try to press on as usual with the kids. But I often ended up irritable and impatient. I've since decided that it's wise to respond to the cues my body sends me, and it's better for the children to watch good quality television than be on the receiving end of an angry mommy.

2. Don't try to figure out why you're emotional.

This strategy does not come easily to introspective mamas. It's my natural tendency to analyze the heck out of myself, and search for some amazing cure to guarantee I'll never have a bad day again! But for me, I find if I pray and accept my imperfect feelings, normality returns more quickly. Think positively. Remind yourself that emotions are temporary - they don't define you.

3. Lower your standards, but accomplish at least one thing.

Strip down to the minimum expectations of what you must do just to get by. At the same time, though, try to get at least one task accomplished. This alone sometimes pulls me out of a difficult slump.

4. Distract yourself - read and relax.

I need to turn my analyzing mind off on hard days. Reading fiction helps me get lost in someone else's story - it's a positive distraction. Reading non-fiction (i.e. self-help) only makes me think about myself more and leads to more negative feelings. So grab a new novel and dive in. Or do whatever activity relaxes you.

5. Go to bed early.

Photo by Katherine Raz

Often we run our batteries down, but try to keep going - this only leads to more difficult days. Our body signals us when we need rest. When we ignore those signals our whole family suffers. So as much as possible listen to those cues and get some sleep.

Everything will look better in the morning.

I'd love to hear your thoughts - How do you handle difficult days?

(For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, visit We are THAT Family.)

 

I'm also loving

The Importance of Reading to Your Children

Why You Shouldn't Adopt

Meet My Students

Go give her some love :) 

and if you haven't already

share The LOVELY List

and comment here for a chance to win a LOVELY cruiser bike!

xoxo Brandy

Comments

[kia]

excited about another blog to keep me going on this mommy rollercoaster!
thanks for your words!

[Darla]

I've read Jamie on Simple Mom and now I feel I should add her to my daily blog list, because her words are so right on in terms of what I value in my life as a Mom and individual. Thank you for featuring her.

[Amy Bearce]

Oh my gosh, god works in wondrous ways. I am having a "bad mommy day". Feeling very emotional and like the only mommy who feels this way, already cried twice today. Then I came across this blog! So great to have this reassurance that I am not the only mom that feels like she is losing her mind from time to time. Thank you Thank you Thank you

[Hillary]

Jaime, has continued to inspire me, in a much different way the most of the blogs I follow. She manages to bring me back to center, focus on the basics and find my steady mom vibe. I'm so happy that the lovely list found her!

Congratulations Jaime!

[Tracey]

I recently found Jamie's blog and today yours! I found the above post very encouraging!

[exhale. return to center.]

i've been following jamie's blog for quite a while now and i am continually inspired by her positive outlook and her honest sharing of the realities of motherhood.

can't wait for her book to come out!!!

so happy to see her featured here!

~erin

[PS~Erin]

This does look like a lovely blog that I'm definitely going to check out!

More lovelies (are you getting tired of all my submissions? :-)

http://paigeknudsen.blogspot.com/
and
http://completelytotallymadly.blogspot.com/

[ViveVita Lady]

I love Jamie too! Her blog is definitely a real joy to read. And, I so wish that I had some of her ideas for being a steady mom when I first started on my journey of motherhood.

[caroline rose]

I'm a bit biased: Jamie's one of my favorite people in the entire world. So thrilled to see this lovely spread.

And I'd love a bike cruiser!