Today was tough. The baby was fussy and stubborn and the dog was wild. It was too cold to play outside, and I had run out of ideas for inside play. On days like this, it seems like we are all so grumpy and tired I just don’t know how to carry on.

A Happy Mom is a Happy Family

It is easy to get into a rut of complaining and feeling down, especially in the winter time, when we have less sunshine and shorter days. But, as a mommy, I can’t afford to let these feelings get through to my little one. The more moody I get, the more grumpy she gets, and the whole thing spirals downward so quickly it’s hard to stop. 

So, here are a few tips I’ve found for those tough days:

• Spend time with God first. (See my post about this here:https://www.bethanysfamilysecrets.com/2019/02/03/secrets-to-a-happy-home/) Ask God for grace for the day. Ask Him for wisdom to lift the mood, and remember that He is always ready and willing to give you help if you ask Him for it. If you are halfway through the day, stop what you are doing and have your little ones pray with you. Obviously it won’t be a long prayer, but a simple, “Dear Jesus, we are feeling grumpy. Please help us to be cheery. Amen.” does wonders. Jesus hears even the simplest prayer, and I have seen Him help my little one many times when she was feeling down. 
• Say what you are thankful for out loud. This might feel a little weird at first, especially if you have older children. However, little ones just get the vibe that you are happy and it helps you feel happier too. If you have older children, try to get them involved by saying what they are thankful for. (Hint: Get creative with your thanksgiving. It can create laughter at the same time! 😁)
• Sing a happy tune. Not all of us are blessed with great voices, but little children don’t seem to mind and singing tends to lift our moods and get us moving. If you prefer not to sing, play some music on your phone instead. Sometimes I just look up classical music on YouTube to play. I find that music without a heavy beat or lots of dissonant cords (don’t worry if you don’t know what this means, just look for something calm) tend to lift the mood quickly. 
• Lastly, some days I find that we all just need some time together. It’s ok to drop everything that’s not absolutely necessary and snuggle on the couch with some books or a mug of hot chocolate, play with playdough or (insert your favourite activity here). Sometimes quality time together can rest your nerves and help you to start fresh. 

What do you do on grumpy days? Leave your ideas in the comments below!