I’d like Meagan to come live next door to me. Really.
It’s my pleasure to introduce Meagan Francis, writer, mom of five and author of the new book, The Happiest Mom: 10 secrets to enjoying motherhood. Are you a little too hard on yourself? Do you grumble often about being a mom? Well, grab a cup of coffee and sit a spell. Meagan is warm, funny and has loads encouragement for you as a mom in HM. As an experienced mom, I was a little hesitant when I started reading it because what could she tell me that I don’t know? Oh.My.Was.I.Wrong! Meagan has a heart for moms and fabulous ideas to enjoy your family today. Below is a brief interview I had with her:
Comparing and measuring ourselves with other moms is a large contributor to our own guilt. What simple steps can a mom do to stop this behavior?
The second thing we can do is not take part in cutting other moms down. Even reading judgmental blog posts makes me feel uncomfortable, because I start to wonder what people would say about me to their friends or blog readers if they saw me out with my kids or could peep into my windows. And when you feel judged–even potentially judged!–it starts that whole cycle of defensive judgment on your own part. It’s a losing game, because none of us are all right and very few of us are all wrong.
The more we extend grace to others the easier it is to extend it to ourselves. And the more we extend grace to ourselves the easier it is to extend it to others.
I love that you talk about the blame game and how it deflects responsibility away from ourselves. If a mom recognizes that she plays the game, what can she do differently today?One way to figure out if I’m unfairly finger-pointing is to ask myself questions like “Does this really matter?” “What role did I play in this?” “Am I being fair? “How could this go differently next time?” “What’s the real issue here?”
I think in any situation where you’re feeling uncomfortable, guilty, or angry, asking yourself questions like these before you react can help you get to the heart of the issue and gain perspective.
Here’s HOW to WIN:
1. Leave a comment telling me how you can be a happier mom today.
2. Follow me on twitter and leave a comment telling me you did. (@JanUdlock)
{If you’re already a follower, leave a comment. You guys get one too!}
3. Facebook about the giveaway, and leave a comment, telling me you did.
This counts as three entries and three chances to win. And as always, thank you again, dear mom, for stopping by.
Thanks for the interview, Jan and Meagan! I saw mention of your book in Parenting Magazine, Meagan, and this post reinforces that I want to read it! How did you manage to write a book with five kids? I’d love to hear your time management tips related to writing while being a parent. Which brings me to my goal for being a happier mom today, Jan! Today I’m going to be realistic about what can get done in one day’s time. Often I put together a huge list and when we don’t get those things done, I feel discouraged which impacts everyone — my kids, my husband and me.
Nice interview. Thanks for sharing. I may well pick up the book.
You be surprised how the same lessons apply in corporate life. The whole “blame game” thing is something we try very hard to deal with when dealing with large teams and risky technology. So we read books about it, and how to deal with conflict and risk. You’d be surprised how often I read something in a book like that, and bring it home, and it helps me be a better parent.
So much to learn.
Anyway, thanks for sharing. Again, nice work.
I can be a happier mom by doing something by myself today! I think I’m going to read a book somewhere. Also, I went to sleep at 8:15 last night… so that helped. 🙂
Now following you on Twitter. You can follow me @lizcrewzn. 🙂
Posted to Facebook — entry #2
RT on Twitter (I think!) — entry #3…have I mentioned I really want to win the book? 🙂
I take time every day to cuddle and talk with my kids. I love hearing what is important to them. That makes me a happy mom.
Thank you for the interview, Jan and Megan!
Megan, your statement about extending grace to other moms and to ourselves really hit home with me. It’s long been a frustration of mine that moms are so judgmental to each other, and I try really hard to keep from being judgmental to others. But I never really considered that I was doing the same to myself. So thank you for pointing that out so eloquently. I’m going to try to be more present and less hard on myself today. If our kids feel loved and safe, then we are doing our job well.
Thanks again! I can’t wait to read the book.
I’m heading to post a link on Facebook right now, Jan!
Meagan! I’m sorry, I just realized I misspelled your name in my comment. I apologize!
Sign me up too! 🙂 Great interview, Jan.
I’m a happier mom by giving myself & my kids a break. And lots of laughter. I try to think before I react “Is this really important? Will it matter next week or next year?” and react appropriately. I also make it a priority to get enough sleep — because a tired mommy is a cranky mommy!
I’d love to win this book!
I could be a happier mom by slowing down a little bit and enjoying my children, even when I think what they are doing is “silly.” So many times I get caught up in what I need to get done, that I don’t think about what is important to them. When I later realize I hurt their feelings by not paying attention, the guilt sets in.
nerakG1974@gmail.com
I posted this on both my personal and blog Facebook pages. Here is the link to my blog Facebook page so you can see: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karens-Healthy-Lifestyle/204037172947970
nerakG1974@gmail.com
I can’t wait to buy Megan’s book. I welcome all the tips I can get for being a happier mom!
Six months ago, I started a journey to let go of the daily distraction that robs me of valuable moments with my family that I will never get back. I call it letting go..to grasp what really matters. And in the process, I have become a happier mom. I am sharing my tactics for letting go of distraction with other parents, and that has made me incredibly happy, too. It’s great to have company through life’s joys and trials!
Thank you for sharing your insights, ladies!
Being grateful for all the little things that go right in my day as a mom, instead of hyper-focusing on the few things that go wrong. 🙂
I just followed you on Twitter (my handle is pattierwr)
I also just posted this on facebook 🙂
By pausing to think first. And asking myself if this really matters enough to get upset about. It does wonders for keeping calm!
@ThePennyRoachs now following you on Twitter!
Shared on Facebook 🙂
I can be (and am!) a happier mom today by taking the time to exercise. The ellipse machine hasn’t got a lot of use from me lately, but the thirty minutes I did today made me smile. Taking care of myself to take care of my kids….
I am on board with non-judgemental, non-defensive mothering.
I could trust that I’m a great Mom, raising a happy boy…I could give up compairing myself to my neighbor, my friend, my sister-in-law…I could leave the dishes and laundry and just play blocks…I could take 20 minutes a day for myself and take a walk, alone.
I can be a happier mom by taking care of myself and remembering to get enough sleep so I can deal with the everyday stresses with more patience.
I am doing my best not to let my sadness get the best of me as I stare down Empty Nest, still a few years away but looming a little too close for my liking. I don’t want to sad away these last years and not enjoy everything they can be. I am blessed with beautiful relationships with all five of our children, for which I am immensely grateful. I just don’t want these years of mothering children to be behind me.
In a recent blog entry written as a letter to my mother who passed away five years ago, I asked her how she felt when I was about to be grown up, if she wanted to run after me and beg me to slow down so she could hold me a little while longer. That is how I feel. It isn’t that I don’t want my children to move on and do and be everything they dream; it’s just that I don’t want to be left with my hands in my apron pockets staring after them.
Honestly, I just want to keep being a mommy.
I can be a happier mom by trying to get enough sleep at night.
Twitter follow!
I’d be a bit happier if I could figure out how to do it all………
I follow you on Twitter 🙂
Just shared the giveaway on FB (www.facebook.com/lmn02)
I’m a happier mom today because of the picnic in the sunshine we had for lunch and a double-stroller walk that tuckered out my girls and built my triceps! 🙂
I know so many moms who get caught up in the day to day grind of being a mom that they forget to enjoy the process. This book would help with that.
Sounds like a book I could really use, especially being a brand new sahm of 3 gorgeous kids. Thanks for the opportunity!
Ooh–this sounds like a great book–I have recently begun following Megan–and I like that she reminds me that nothing (like email and FB) are more important than my kids!
follow on twitter
jennymartin116
posted on fb
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I can’t wait to read this book!! I have been practicing being a happier mother by following Megan’s recent advice and staying in the moment instead of being distracted by somehing else I could be doing- asking myself is there something *better* I could be doing, and realizing that when I’m with my kids, the answer is usually no.
i would love to win your book i try not to lose my cool with my 3 sons and what ive read on your site it sounds like my life hope you have a great day
Happier mom today because I’ve learnt that my baby has even less control over her emotions than I do.
Facebook-check!
Being a happier mom? One thing I can do today to be a happier mom is to resist the urge to judge myself as a mom based upon my lowest moment today (freak out after boys splashed bathwater everywhere). I’m going to focus on the cuddling up and reading our new Golden Book Treasury before bed. I’d love to win and read Meagan’s book!