Momivate!
  • Home
  • About Us
  • BLOG
  • Donate
    • Donate Funds!
    • Donate TIME!
    • We are Affiliates!
    • Gratitude!
  • Momversations
    • Momversations!
    • Momversations Archives
  • Honor-a-Mom
    • Wall of Honor
    • S.M.I.L.E. Awards 2022
  • EVENTS
    • MUMs Unite!
    • Relationships Classes
    • Previous Events

Positive Thinking Changes Everything

7/5/2022

0 Comments

 
By Diana Duke, Momivate's Secretary
As I walk in the house from picking up the kids from school, I notice piles of folded laundry just waiting for the kids to knock over. The sink is full of dirty dishes from breakfast with cereal boxes and orange juice still sitting on the island.  Five bags of groceries are sitting on the counter just waiting to be put away.  There are backpacks and shoes strewn throughout the living room.

My thoughts pull me to a commercial with a woman in a business suit singing “I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan and never let you forget that I’m a woman”.  I don’t even remember what the commercial was pushing.  I just remember thinking I want to be that woman who can do it all: work, provide, and do it looking amazing. 

But as I stare at the sight in front of me, I begin to minimize  the things that I have accomplished today and begin to over-catastrophize all the things that have not been accomplished.

This is a common thinking error referred to as Minimizing/catastrophizing and it is something that I need to correct.  One thing I can do to overcome the thinking error Minimizing/catastrophizing  is to realize when I am in the middle of this thinking error, I need to stop and redirect my thinking with positive self talk.


When I start to practice positive self-talk incredible things begin to happen. 

When I see the pile of laundry sitting on the couch waiting to be tipped over, I redirect my thoughts to recognize that I am nearly finished with this load of laundry. If I ask the kids to take their pile of clothes and put them away, we will be finished with this load of laundry! I will then have time to put another load in the washer.  While the latest load of laundry is in the spin cycle, I can make tuna sandwiches for dinner.  Sure it won’t be a roast with rosemary and garlic potatoes, but the kids will be fed... and if I add a few strawberries and carrots from the groceries still sitting on the counter waiting to be put away,  I can count two servings of the five required fruits and vegetables for the kids today. 

Positive self-talk can make the half-finished work of today seem like the work for tomorrow is nearly finished. 


    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!


​

0 Comments

Moments

7/12/2021

0 Comments

 
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.
PicturePhoto Credit: Liana Mikah on Unsplash.com
Motherhood is made up of moments. Good moments, bad moments, successful moments, learning moments, rewarding moments, and more.

Why do I spend my time being a mother? Well, honestly, there are hard moments when I ask myself that question and I can’t see that I’m making a difference. But those moments inevitably pass, and are usually followed by learning moments.

The most applicable answer is: I love my children!

Ultimately, I want them to be happy and I am the one most able to help that happen in the short term and the long run. My children need me.

I give them my time and attention so their lives will be better. I am the one that best understands them and can infer their needs. My children are young and they can’t communicate well yet, either because they can’t talk yet or are still learning the meaning of words and how to tell me something. No one else is as equipped as I am to understand and help them because I know their bigger picture, the moments that make up their world and reality.

It’s rewarding to see the progress they make as a result of choices I have made in adjusting their surroundings or schedule to best fit their current needs. I know those needs intimately because I have been there every moment and step of the way. I am positioned to best help them progress and succeed.

My children reflect me. Children are little sponges who repeat the most random things! I learn about myself in how they handle emotions and react to situations. I know they learned many of those things from me. Sometimes those moments are painful to see, but I am a better person for seeing myself reflected by them.

The rewards are in the moments too. Milestone moments of learning to smile or walk and random silly happy moments filled with laughter, and moments of progress when something ‘clicks’ that we’ve been working on.

I love my children the most of anyone on this earth, and no one else is going to care what happens to them more than I do. I want to be the one they ask for help, even if it’s 100 times a day. I want to be the one advocating for them. I want to be the one who feeds them, sees their smiles, kisses their ‘hurts’ and tucks them in.

​At the end of the day, I can best celebrate their victories with them because I know the moments that make up their days and months and years. Their best chance of success is through me, and I love them, so I give them my moments.

0 Comments

Five Affirmations to Inspire Mothers

6/28/2021

0 Comments

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

Picture
Self-affirmations are positive statements that can be used to encourage and motivate yourself. When you repeat them often, and believe in them, you can start to make positive changes.

Here are 5 affirmations that you can use to transform your thoughts about motherhood and inspire you to be a better mom. 


  1. I find joy in the everyday moments of my life. 
  2. I am grateful for the time I get to spend with my children. 
  3. I am an amazing mom, even as I work hard to make improvements. 
  4. I will be present and in the moment when talking to my children. 
  5. Motherhood is the most important job in the world. 

If you feel like you need a mindset change, give affirmations a try.

​The key to affirmations is to use them frequently. Work them into a part of your morning routine, such as brushing your teeth or getting dressed. Write them down and post them on your mirror. Upload them to your phone wallpaper so you see them every time you open your phone. Some people say them outloud, some repeat them in their mind during meditation, others write them in a journal.

Do whatever works for you. Your thoughts and words have the power to change your mindset and help you achieve your goals. 




0 Comments

Helpful Phrases to Support other mothers

6/28/2021

0 Comments

 
​By Sam Allred, CouncilMom over Music, Inspiration, and Laughter
PicturePhoto Credit: Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.com
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. 


​

0 Comments

Wisdom from Experienced Mothers

6/28/2021

0 Comments

 
By Sam Allred, CouncilMom over Music, Inspiration, and Laughter
PicturePhoto Credit: Jessica Rockowitz on Unsplash.com
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. 


​
  • “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.

0 Comments

    AuthorS

    Momivate's CouncilMom over Music, Inspiration, and Laughter provides much of what you will enjoy on this blog, either creating it herself or acquiring it from other sources. Guest authors are welcome to submit pieces as well by emailing momunity@momivate.org

    Categories

    All
    4th Of July
    Action Songs
    Advice
    Affirmations
    Atmosphere
    Attention
    Babies
    Bedtime
    Behavioral Science
    Children
    Christmas
    Comparison
    Distractions
    Energy
    Funny
    Happiness
    Holidays
    Inspiration
    Language Development
    Laughter
    Learning
    Love
    Lullabies
    Mealtime
    Memes
    Mental Health
    Moments
    Music
    Neighbor Gift
    Patriotism
    Perfection
    Positivity
    Relationships
    Relaxation
    Rewards
    Routines
    Self Care
    Service
    Sleep
    Songs
    Support
    Time
    Wiggles

Momivate is a BRAND NEW, official 501(c)3 Non-profit organization! Your donations of time or money are greatly appreciated!
Click HERE to donate funds!
Click HERE to donate time!
Thank you!

COMPANIES: Become a MISSION SUPPORTER

ABOUT US 

CONTACT US

​
RESOURCES

​
GLOSSARY


SUBMIT A CONCERN
NOTE: We are only legally able to offer our services in the United States. If you live outside of the U.S. and would like to start a branch in your own country, please contact us.

Click here to read our Website Terms of Use

Please see our Disclaimer.

Please see our Commitment to Privacy here.
Picture

All content on this website is intellectual property of Momivate. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • About Us
  • BLOG
  • Donate
    • Donate Funds!
    • Donate TIME!
    • We are Affiliates!
    • Gratitude!
  • Momversations
    • Momversations!
    • Momversations Archives
  • Honor-a-Mom
    • Wall of Honor
    • S.M.I.L.E. Awards 2022
  • EVENTS
    • MUMs Unite!
    • Relationships Classes
    • Previous Events