By Stephanie Simmons, Momivate's Inspiration Specialist

Fourth, recruit your family to contribute! As my kids have gotten older and have been able to contribute more, and I have had to train them and motivate them, they get a little lecture about “family contributions.” This wording comes from a parenting book by the Eyre family. It helps us see that everyone in the family contributes. We have our dad who contributes by going into work and brings in money for our home. We take care of the home to earn our part and our income, or payment, is in the form of clothes, food, home, etc. My lecture would include pointing out the things they do and need that require work to make happen (you eat, so you need clean dishes and food, and there is a mess from using them, cost to buying the food, etc).

When it comes to caring for our homes (formerly called doing chores), remember, you are doing a great job! Your home is for living in, focus on the positive, and enlist your children in the family contributions. Our home can be a clean home to help us live happily in!
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By Diana Duke, Momivate's Secretary

    Throughout my days, I often struggle with minimizing my accomplishments and over-catastrophizing the long list of things I could do better. The list gets longer as I dwell on the things I still need to do. But as I practice Positive Self-Talk I can overcome this thinking error. 

Positive self-talk  creates a positive mindset for me and sets a tone for the people in my life to be positive about their accomplishments too. Embracing Positive Self-Talk creates a much healthier thought pattern for my life as well.  As I become more positive through self-talk, I can become more successful. And success breeds more success.  I can eventually have a healthier and more positive way of thinking.  

So tomorrow when I wake up, my work will be half  finished, and I will be able to accomplish even more!

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This submission is by Jennifer Wright, a MomUnity member who earned an OkkaTots diaper bag by answering this prompt: 

When you decided to take on the job of raising a child (or more than one), your heart knew that you would be the giver of the love long before you'd be the receiver. And the love you give is the VERB kind of love -- every repetitive, mundane act, every phrase you hear yourself say a zillion times... 

Why? Ask yourself, and answer yourself. It's a valuable practice to become conscientious and provide those reasons to get you through the hard times and be able to appreciate the good times all the more.

Here is Jennifer's beautiful and thoughtful answer. If you'd like to submit an answer and earn a diaper bag too, here's the form.

​By Sam Allred, CouncilMom over Music, Inspiration, and Laughter

Being a parent at any stage comes with challenges and we never know when somebody could be in need of encouraging words.
Here is a list of supportive comments to help parents feel validated and uplifted. 

1. "You’re doing an amazing job, even if it doesn’t feel like it."
2. "I remember struggling with that phase, how are you coping with it?" 
3. "Your children are so lucky to have you." 
4. "You’re doing better than you think you are." 
5. "Do you need a break?"
6. "It’s okay if you don’t love every moment." 
7. "You are not alone." 

​May we make a conscious effort to support each other. If you see a fellow mom struggling (we all have been there before and know what it looks like), consider using one of the phrases from this list. It’s amazing how only a few simple words can improve somebody’s day. 

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By Sam Allred, CouncilMom over Music, Inspiration, and Laughter

I have a problem with the typical narrative of motherhood. The one that tells us that everything will come so easily and effortlessly. The reality of parenthood is that it is difficult. It is often easy to doubt our abilities when it comes to making parenting decisions. We need to remember that we are not alone in these feelings of inadequacy. Hearing from other like-minded mothers who have had similar experiences can alleviate those feelings of inadequacy and provide a renewed sense of hope in the face of difficult circumstances.

Below is a list of advice from experienced mothers to mothers who may be struggling with certain aspects of motherhood. 

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• “The baby doesn’t need a perfect mom, but he/she definitely needs a happy mom. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

As a perfectionist, I tend to be my own worst critic. As mothers, we need to remember that our kids don’t care if we don’t prepare magazine-worthy dinners or organize pinterest-worthy crafts. They care about spending genuine time with us and forming a strong, healthy relationship. 

• “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take time for self care, prayer, and exercise.” 

Whether you are currently struggling with your newborn waking in the night, teenage attitude, or somewhere in between, all mothers can agree that motherhood requires a lot of patience. It is hard to exercise patience, when your own needs aren’t being met. Remember to take care of yourself so you can take care of your family. 

• “Time spent with your kids will never be undone. Dishes, laundry, dusting, vacuuming will all be undone. It’s okay to wait on the chores to prioritize time with your child that you can never undo.” 

One evening, I put the baby down for the night and started cleaning the kitchen. My husband went outside to work on the yard and later came and told me to come out to see the sunset. I told him I would come out when I was done with dishes, but by the time I went outside, the sun had already set. This experience helped me remember that chores can wait. People and experiences are more important and it is important to prioritize those who are important to you so you don’t miss out on making memories, forming bonds, and building relationships. 

• “Don’t compare yourself or your children to anybody else.” 

My grandma loved the well-known phrase from Theodore Roosevelt, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” The older I get, the more I find this statement to be true. Sometimes other moms may seem to be perfectly put together, while you feel like a slob in desperate need of a shower. Sometimes others’ kids reach milestones earlier than your kids. Sometimes other families appear to always get along with each other and never fight while you feel like a full-time referee. Guess what? All families have struggles. Don’t let comparing yourself to others steal your joy. 

• “There is no better mom in the world for your children than YOU.” 

Your sweet kids aren’t looking for a mom with the perfect home, flawless post-baby body, or perfect craft activities. Your kids want YOU!  You are enough. You are incredible. You are just what your kids need.