Let Them Eat (pan)CAKE: 10 Simple Ways to Bring Joy to Your Kids (and You!)

This is a contributor post I wrote for the Portland Moms Blog. Read the entire article here.

You know those parents who just gush over their kid’s every moment of every day? They have infinite patience, unending smiles, and all the time (and desire) in the world to play with their little ones. Let’s be honest. I am not one of those mothers.

Parenting is tough. Really tough. And sometimes it just plain sucks. As a stay-at-home mom there are days when I cannot get a break from at least one, if not all of my three kiddos until bedtime. Please don’t misunderstand; I love them fiercely, but on the hardest mommy days it’s often a huge undertaking (sometimes every fiber of my being) just to make myself believe that I like them.

On those days I usually resort to “smile therapy.” I put on the fakest smile I can muster, shove aside my irritation and desire to scream my head off or run for the hills, and just grin. Often (not every time) this cheesy, forced smile has a calming effect, and before I know it, I’m actually in a better mood! I have found that when I change my outlook, I am more willing to do things for my kids, and basically enjoy being with them. Which, in turn brings them joy; and seeing that on their little faces can make me happy even on the crappiest days!

Bringing joy to your children (and you) doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It doesn’t even have to take all day…Keep reading over at the Portland Moms Blog!