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Top 10 tips for busy mums
1. Be thankful
When you feel like screaming at your partner or the kids and you're feeling very sorry for yourself, then it's the time to start a Gratitude Diary. Make a list at the beginning or end of each day of at least 20 things that you are thankful for today. You can write it down or do it in your day. Start noticing the little things. For example; 'Thanks for the smile my son gave me at breakfast'; 'Thanks for the compliment my boss gave me about my work'. Keep this diary for at least two weeks, and it will become a useful tool to help you keep a positive attitude when life is challenging!
2. Build a community
If you don't have family and friends who can help you out with babysitting and all-round support, go out and find it. The web is a great place to start (try www.netmums.com for local communities of mums who meet up in person as well as online). The National Childbirth Trust supports parents with young children through local groups. Or start your own group of supportive mums - you'd be amazed at how many people are desperate to build a community themselves. Visit the mums on the iVillage message boards for online support and advice.
3. Make time for you
You must make time for you. If you don't believe you deserve it right now, then do it for your kids. If you're happy, they are more likely to be happy. What would you really like to do that you haven't been allowing yourself?
4. Slow down
Let's face it, we pride ourselves on our ability to juggle. You might get things done faster by approaching several things at once, but you are not experiencing anything. If you are talking to your best friend on the phone and cooking a meal at the same time, you're not experiencing the good things of either activity. Enjoy what you are doing and learn to savour each experience. Give yourself permission to slow down and do one thing at a time.
5. Be active
Raising children is a marathon, not a sprint, and your children need you to keep going. That means that you need to be fit and healthy, which means physical activity. Even two ten-minute walks per day and five minutes meditation will benefit your mind, body and spirit, and make you a nicer person to be around! Ponder on this question: If your life depended on you exercising for half an hour four times a week, what would you do to achieve this?
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