I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the phrase ‘When momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!’ I remember growing up and seeing a wooden plaque hanging in the kitchen with that very saying. Of course it took me becoming a mom myself to realize what it truly means. There are days when things just aren’t going my way-.kids are resisting being woke up for school, spilled coffee all over myself, car out of gas and already 10 minutes late….this list can go on and on. Each one of us has little triggers that either make our day or break it into a thousand pieces. More often than not, once your day has been ‘broken’ it can seem to take the rest of the day to put those pieces back together.
Let me tell you, I fall into that category more times than not. I wake up to find that my alarm didn’t go off (or did I just push snooze without realizing it?). Now that I am running late, my day begins to spiral out of control because, of course, the kids aren’t wanting to wake up for school and we are already 30 minutes behind. Our kids have a sixth sense to this frustrated, stressed, not so happy momma. It is almost like they feed off of all the negative vibes that are beaming out at a thousand different directions.
Have you ever stopped to see this actually occur? It is seriously a bizarre occurrence. The kids may wake up happy, but I on the other hand, oscar the grouch aka Momma, is not. Once they get into the same room as mean ol’ oscar, it begins to become a room full of grouches. Kids begin to fight and aggravate each other (this whole aggravating thing can be a daily thing no matter the mood). I then fuss and get even more in a bad mood because that is the last thing I want to do is fuss, I mean I am already unhappy as it is.
Stop right there! If you continue on being a grump and only looking for the things that make you grumpy, you obviously will stay that grumpy mom. In order for us to get out of this slump, we must make a choice to be happy. All we have to do is make that choice! Whenever I look around at my family after my unhappiness has started to spread like a fiery wildfire, I try my best to make a conscious decision to do a 360. It is crazy how that one choice can save my day.
So when life seems to be throwing you many curve balls and having you unhappy, make the choice to be happy!
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalms 146:5
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead. Even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 1 Peter 1:6
I completely agree! A lot of times, I am the one that brings the sour mood to the house. I’ve also noticed it in my classroom, too. – Amy
It’s so crazy! A lot of the time I don’t realize it until it’s too late…trying to work on it 😉
It is so true that the kids feed off of your energy! It is important to make a point of trying to stay positive and happy! I totally know how hard that can be though!
Yes indeed! I don’t realize it until it is too late, but trying to be better about it 🙂
This is so true! I’ve been on the struggle bus lately with trying to find joy. I really do need to just stop, and really think about my attitude. Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
I find myself struggling with it more times than not…working on it though 🙂
What a great reminder! I’ve seen this same thing happen in our family too. My eldest, especially, is very sensitive to other people’s attitudes, so I have to “check” myself often. Happiness can spread just a quickly as grouchiness!
It sure can! ❤
This is great! I have seen this happen in my life so many times where they are in great moods and I’m just not. Usually right then and there is a great time to stop and pray and start over.
Yes!! Then just watch how things become more peaceful and happy ?
So true! Our kids feed off of our energy!!
Yes they most certainly do!
This is SO true! And I’m trying to be a happier momma for sure 🙂
I couldn’t agree more! Trying to be a happier momma 🙂
I couldn’t agree more with this! Great post!
I absolutely LOVE this! And that saying is totally true!
What a fantastic reminder!!! We have so much influence over our little ones. I never want to cause my kids to be unhappy or have a bad day!
Everyone in my family knows this! It totally applies to my husband and kids and it applies to me as a daughter too! Mom sets the mood I swear!