No matter where you are on your mothering journey, whether you have just brought home your baby from the hospital or dropped your child off at college or maybe somewhere in-between, encouragement is essential.

Motherhood is hard. But we are not alone.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

God promises to be with us, sustain us and provide us with what we need throughout our lives.

7 Tips for fruitful motherhood

Here are some tips to surviving – and enjoying – the challenge of motherhood.

1. Get a team. No one person can do this alone. Regardless of how busy life is, make it a priority to connect or re-connect with friends. Have a reliable support group that you can turn to when you are down. Don’t do life alone.

2. Call for help. Don’t be too proud to ask someone to step in for you. Calling your mother-in-law, husband, best friend or neighbour doesn’t make you weak, it actually makes you stronger. There are times when you will need a break. Just ask.

3. Pray often. Talking with God doesn’t need to just be at a set time every day. Like a conversation with your husband or best friend, it can go on all day. Whether it is a quick thank you for potty training success or a cry for help when dinner is burning and the kids won’t stop fighting, God wants to hear from you.

4. Write down your successes. It is so easy to get caught up in guilt and focus on what we are doing wrong. This is why having a journal to record our mothering success in is important. When you find you are talking to yourself negatively, review your journal for encouragement. Remembering the times that you knocked it out of the park with your kids. It will help you get through the tougher times.

5. Learn to say no. Even though we would like to be all things to all people, the reality is that we can’t. So, decide what is important during this season of your life. Then learn to say no to anything that might distract you from the important things, i.e. your family.

6. Settle for less. Often, we get too caught up in trying to do too many things. It is more important to simplify the amount of activity we aim to fit into a day. It may seem like a good idea to have your children in a sport, art, music and after school activity but it can get overwhelming quickly. For all of you. Cut back on the number of things that fill your day and spend some extra time just being together.

7. Take care of yourself. Getting enough rest, healthy foods and exercise will help you stay at the top of your game. Aim to have a little me-time every day to relax and wind down. It may even help to get up a little earlier in the mornings to gear yourself up for the day. Remember that you won’t do a good job taking care of anyone if you are sick or tired.

Just remember that no matter what stage of parenthood you are in, each is a unique gift from God. It can feel hard right now. Yet, don’t forget that he is always with us. Focus on the important things. Learn to say no to distractions. Take care of yourself. You will find that you can endure and actually enjoy motherhood.

Blessings,

Chandra