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12 Tips for When You Are Sick and Tired of Being a Cranky Mom
Have you ever felt like a cranky mom? Maybe it’s your time of month, or maybe something is going on with work or your family. Whatever the case might be, sometimes we can feel ourselves becoming cranky. Sometimes, it sneaks up on us without us realizing it. If you have found yourself being a cranky mom, maybe you would like tips on how to ease the crankiness. (Read: How You Can Become a Calmer Mom Today.)
Recently, I found myself becoming a very cranky mom towards my children for no reasonable cause. I realized it, too; I could feel it in my crankiness. Have you ever been there?
I knew that I needed to switch gears immediately.
What are some ways that you can switch gears when you feel like a cranky mom? I have compiled a list of 12 ways that I have been helpful to myself, and hopefully, you can benefit from them as well.
Apologize to Your Child
The first and foremost thing I always do when I feel cranky is apologize to my children. Have you ever apologized to your child? It is a very humbling experience. Children are very forgiving. Every time I apologize to my children, they have been 100% forgiving and understanding. They typically say, “It’s OK, mommy. Everyone makes mistakes.”
Although it can be difficult to apologize for some, I know my ego takes a beating when I know I need to; this can be so beneficial for both your children and yourself.
First, your child learns there’s no shame in admitting when you are wrong. Even when you’re an adult. We’re child also learned the power of forgiveness.
For you, it helps you admit when you’re wrong and see your child as a human individual with your own thoughts and ideas. Not as an extension of yourself.
Turn on Worship Music
I’m not sure what it is but turning on worship and praise music when I am feeling cranky really turns my mood around. It gets my focus off of myself, off of what I need to do, and off of my problems that I am having. Then it puts my focus on God.
It’s a lot harder to be cranky when you are reminding yourself of how great God is and how many amazing blessings you have. Try filling you’re home with praise and worship music when you’re feeling cranky. You can also do this when you’re not feeling cranky. Most mornings I will wake up after my devotions and before the kids wake up and put praise and worship music on and it really sets the tone for our day.
Light a Candle or Turn on the Diffuser
Another thing you can do is light a candle or turn on your diffuser. I’m not sure about the benefits of a diffuser, all I know is that most of the time it puts me in a better mood.
Invest in one of your favorite candle scents to have ready or invest in an essential oils’ diffuser.
Get Outside
There has been a study done within the last couple of years that says children need around 60 hours of outside time a week or four to six hours of outside time a day. If children need that type of outside time, don’t you think it’s beneficial to us as adults as well?
Sunshine and fresh air does wonders for your mood. So, when you are feeling cranky and the day is nice or even if it’s not nice, but you can get outside take a few minutes or a couple hours and go outside with your children or by yourself and get some fresh air and sunshine.
Get the Water Out for the Kids
When my daughter was an infant, I read something that I still use today. It says that when they are crabby, they should be put in water. So, when my child is feeling cranky, or I am feeling cranky, I get out the water and have water play. Whether that’s putting them in the bathtub, getting the pool out, or getting the water table out, put your child in water, and if you can, put yourself in water too.
If you’re feeling crabby, maybe water will work for you, too.
Take a Nap/Have Quiet Time
We have sort of eased away with quiet time; however, this will always be one of my favorite times of the day.
Taking care of little children it’s a lot of work. It can be draining, and it can be exhausting. Having a sit quiet time, especially when they’re really little and demand so much attention from you, is such a great idea and can be so beneficial to you as a mommy.
Have a set naptime for your child. A time where they can get the rest they need, and you can also rest and not do anything during that time. It can be extremely refreshing.
If your child is not a napper have a couple activities set aside for your child to do during quiet time. This can be anything that they enjoy. I used to let my child play on her leapfrog during naptime, although I know some parents might frown upon that. Whatever your child enjoys, do that. Your sanity is 100% worth it.
Get Alone For a Few Minutes
If you are feeling cranky and naptime is nowhere in sight, then take a few minutes for just yourself. Go to your room, put on a TV show for your child or give them an activity that they really enjoy, and then just spend some time alone to recharge. It does not have to be for very long – five minutes if that – can do wonders for your mood.
Put Aside Your Expectations
Sometimes I’m feeling cranky because I have extremely high expectations out of myself, my kids, or my spouse.
When I realize, OK, my expectations are a little too high right now, that is when my crankiness can subside.
Put aside your high expectations and just enjoy your day. If you were doing homework, homeschooling, or an activity that you thought was really fun, but your kids just aren’t enjoying it, whatever it may be, set it aside. If you see that your expectations are getting in the way of enjoying time with your family and not connect to helping you connect with your heart, then set that activity aside and do something else.
Do Something You and The Kids Enjoy
After setting aside your high expectations, find an activity that you and your child will enjoy.
The other day I came home from church and our house was a disaster. I knew that I really needed to clean, but I was just not feeling it, my kids were not feeling it, we have had a busy week before, so I didn’t do it.
Do you know what I did instead? I Binge-watched 3 1/2 movies with my oldest daughter. And she later told me that it was the best day she had had.
It is 100% OK to put aside what you expect out of yourself and your family and enjoy being in the moment.
Go For a Walk
Do you enjoy walks? This goes along with getting outside in the sunshine. If you are feeling cranky, grab your kids or go for a short walk around the block.
The exercise itself is good for us. Not to mention the sunshine in the fresh air.
Say a Prayer
When you find yourself feeling extremely cranky, say a quick prayer. Give your burdens to God. Dig deeper if you have time. This can be done when you get a loan, or this can be done when you’re just doing your chores, and your kids are playing.
God is waiting for us with open arms. He does not want us to spend our days feeling like a cranky mom. He does not want us to feel burdened by our duties.
God tells us to come to him, and he will refresh and renew our minds and spirits. So why do we not take him up on this offer?
Why do we look at ourselves to take and do everything that needs to get done? Why do we burden ourselves so much?
God is not asking us to be a perfect mother. God is not asking us to be a perfect spouse. He is not asking us to be perfect homemakers. He is asking us to be real, be present, and lean on him.
When you find yourself feeling cranky get alone, put on some worship music and say a prayer. It is never too late to turn your day around.
Knock Something Off Your To-Do List
Something else you can do is knock something off of your to do list. When we feel like we have so much to do It helps to knock off things on our to do list.
It also helps to have your children have certain chores to help around the house. So, you are not feeling as overwhelmed with everything on your plate.
Laugh With Your Kids
What is something that makes your kids laugh? When you are feeling cranky, find something that makes your children laugh and laugh with your children. There is nothing more healing than a child’s laughter.
When I am having a bad day, and I hear my child laugh and giggle, it always puts me in a better mood.
So, laugh with your child. Have a great time with your child. Make memories with your child.
Before you know it, this time that you have as a housewife and a mom to young children will fly by. Then you’ll look back and think, where did this time go? You don’t want to look back and see that your days are filled with cranky mom. There are certain things that we can do to help ourselves and our family when we are feeling the flesh and crankiness that comes so easily because we are humans. (Read: How to Help Your Family Feel More Peaceful.)
What to do now: Join Chaos to Calm Mom Fb Group Today!