Lindsey Bell is an up and coming new author, mother, fellow blogger, and one of my favorite people I’ve never met. (I’m convinced we will meet one day!) Today, I am honored to have Lindsey Bell guest post, and share about her newly released book, Searching For Sanity.

I’ve read a lot of parenting books, dozens of devotionals, and read through my Bible each year. Even still, Lindsey opened my eyes to new truths and ideas. Her writing is fresh, honest, and REAL. She writes as a friend and fellow warrior in this crazy journey called motherhood. You’ll nod your head along with her, stop to take a few notes, and then mull over your “aha moments.”

I highly recommend checking out her debut book! I am so proud of Lindsey, and can’t wait to see what God has in store for her.

 

Before I had children, I assumed I would love everything about being a mother. I expected our days to be filled with laughter, cuddles, and fun activities.

What I didn’t expect was to ever long for bedtime and count down the minutes until I could have some peace and quiet.

I love my children, of course, but there are times when parenthood is just plain hard. It’s on days like this I have to be intentional about finding joy. Here are a few things that have helped me enjoy my days as a mom:

How to Love Your Days as a Mom:

1. Keep your to-do list manageable.
As much as I’d like to believe I can run all of my errands for the week in one morning (and still maintain some sense of sanity), it’s just not realistic for me with my children. My boys have always struggled to sit still in strollers or carts, so lugging them around all morning long to
fifteen different locations is not a wise choice for our family.

Instead, I spread my errands out throughout the week and don’t pile too much into one day. When I do this, my children have much better attitudes. (And I, in turn, also have a much better attitude).

2. Start the day well.
It’s amazing to me how much better my day goes when I get up before my children, spend time in the Word, and get a few things checked off my to-do list.

Granted, on some days, it’s not plausible for me to get up before them (like when they decide to get up at 5 AM, for instance). On these days, it’s important I maintain a flexible attitude.

Otherwise, though, getting up before them, praying, reading my Bible, and maybe even enjoying a sunrise helps my days go much better.

3. Take time for yourself.

We all need time to ourselves. Time to read, cook, rest, exercise, chat with friends, get our nails done, or whatever.

Take time for yourself each week so you’re able to give your children the best mother possible.

4. Be present with your kids.

My distracted living began when I got my first iPhone. I felt drawn to it nearly all day long. I also felt my enjoyment of my children start to fade. I still loved them, of course, but I didn’t enjoy them as much.

About a year ago, though, I started being intentional about putting my phone down and getting on the floor with my kids. What I found was this: my enjoyment of my children grew as I spent undistracted time with them.

For me, there was a direct correlation between the amount of undistracted time I spent with my kids and the amount of enjoyment I received from them. The more time, the more joy and vice versa.

5. Practice having an attitude of gratitude.

After my husband and I had our first child, we expected everything to go smoothly with our second, third, and possibly even fourth children. Instead, I experienced four consecutive miscarriages.

These miscarriages, as heartbreaking as they have been, have done one helpful thing. They’ve helped me be extra-grateful for the one biological child and the one adopted child we do have.

On days when I’m weary and grumpy, I remind myself…Some women aren’t able to have any children. Some women would do anything to have the problems you have.

Gratitude isn’t something that always comes naturally to me. That’s why tip 5 is all about practicing. Do it over and over again, and eventually (at least I hope) an attitude of gratitude will become the norm…rather than the exception.

Let’s Talk: What helps you enjoy your days as a mom? Leave a comment to be entered to win a gift card from Lindsey for her blog tour contest!

This post is part of a Lindsey’s blog tour for Searching for Sanity, her new parenting devotional. You can read other posts in this tour by going to her blog: www.lindsey-bell.com.

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About Lindsey Bell:

Lindsey Bell is the author of Searching for Sanity, a new parenting devotional. She’s also a stay-at-home mother of two, minister’s wife, avid reader, and chocolate lover. You can find Lindsey online at any of the following locations:

Her blog: www.lindsey-bell.com

Her website: www.lindseymbell.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/LindseyMBell

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorLindseyBell

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/LindseyMBell01

About Searching for Sanity:

Have you ever looked at your beloved children and wondered, what in the world am I doing? Why did God trust me—of all people—to raise them?

Motherhood is the most difficult job many of us will ever take. Searching for Sanity offers moms an opportunity to take a breath, dig into the Word, and learn from parents of the past. In short devotions designed for busy moms, this book uses the parents of the Bible—both the good and the bad—to inspire today’s mothers.