What can I do to reduce stress and enjoy my family? I saw a saying on a family portrait that said “Family now, happiness later”. I realized that if I put my daily efforts in my family I will reap the fruits of my labors and will enjoy happiness every day!  If I look for ways to feel happy about what I‘m doing today I‘ll always live with joy.  It is hard to feel appreciated at times or feel the support we long for.  We need to recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in small moments of joy and satisfaction in the mist of all the frustrations of life.  

Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush our lives and to enjoy motherhood. She said: “The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. … I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less” (Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).

Ponder and listen to the feelings you get every morning.  Take time to read a book and experience the joy of being read to as well.  Hold your child in your arms as you sing him/her a song.  Enjoy listening to their songs. Teach your child how to dance.  Have them teach you their fun steps.  Make up a game and have them play along.  Life is such a joy!  Do not over schedule your day that you don’t leave time for the most important things in life.  I believe it is important to have a clean, impecable house, but it is far more important to have a great atmosphere of love and joy.  Make time for yourself and enjoy what you do!  Paint, sing, enrich your life!  We are steward parents!  God is still the father of us all.  Turn to Him for advice.  God will always help you!