10 Ways to find JOY in the Journey of Motherhood

It’s 6pm and the baby is crying, the wood floors look like a zoo came marching into our house, toys are everywhere in the loft I can barely find a path to my bedroom, the dishes are stacked half way to the ceiling, I am rummaging through the dirty clothes trying to find some pants that look at least presentable to wear because I haven’t done the laundry in a week and dinner hasn’t even started cooking yet. Sound familiar?

This is the life as a mom. Sometimes it is stressful and hard. Sometimes it is crazy and exhausting. Sometimes it is patience testing and headache giving. But I am here to tell you today… it is WORTH IT! It is worth every hard minute, frustrating situation and overwhelming experience.

President Thomas S. Monson said, “Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows.”

“Find JOY in the Journey!” He continues and says, “If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.”

So how do we find joy in this journey of motherhood?

1. LAUGH: I have found that it is important to learn to laugh. Laugh when you are alone, laugh when you are with your spouse, laugh when you are with your children and laugh when you are together as a family. Some of my favorite memories with my mom are the times we found ourselves laughing until our stomach hurt. Crazy things happen as a mom and if we learn to laugh, it makes those hard times turn into some of the most fun! Being a new mom, I have been in several situations with my baby, Laila, where I find myself getting overwhelmed and stressed. Those are the times that I remember to laugh. EVERYTHING is going to be okay!

2. SERVE: Serve your family and serve others with your family. The greatest joy I have received as a new mom is when we have served others together. I feel like it is important to teach Laila to serve because of the joy and blessings that come from it. I grew up in a home where service was just second nature. It was normal to come home from vacation and have my room perfectly cleaned by my dad who had to stay home and work to provide for our family. It was perfectly normal to come home from school and to see my mom making dinner for a family in need. It was perfectly normal to see service and be a part of service daily. There is no greater joy than the joy brought to us by serving others.

3. CUDDLES: I LOVE cuddles! I just want to hold Laila all day and all night. Sometimes life is hard with a baby, especially a baby that doesn’t feel good. Some of my favorite moments as a mom have been at 3am, rocking my sweet baby back to sleep. Sometimes I just hold her in my arms and stare at her. I love those quiet times and remembering that she is a child of God. How lucky are we to be their mom’s?!

4. FUN: Do FUN things with your children! My doctor once told me after I had Laila to find out her favorite things to do and one day her favorite things to do would be my favorite things to do. As a 9 month old, her favorite things to do are swinging at the park, being outside and reading books. I can honestly say today, that her favorite things to do, are by far my most favorite things to do now, too!

5. FAMILY TIME: Schedules get busy! Work, school, homework, sports, church callings, cleaning the house, piano lessons, dance lessons, and the list goes on. I have noticed in my little family, the greatest joy on a daily basis we receive is when we spend time together. It may be just for a few small moments, but it is important to have that time daily. Every night we have the same routine as a family. Laila takes a bath and we help her splash and play with her toys. When she gets out she knows its “mommy monster” time. We play this crazy game where Tyson holds her and I chase them around the house. Laila cracks up, laughing hysterically and we can’t help but belly laugh ourselves. Soon all three of us are smiling so big together! We then slow down and read a book, sing a song and say a prayer. This family time brings me so much joy and makes everyone in my family happy.

6. PATIENCE and FORGIVNESS: This one is hard, but necessary for true JOY. Patience is something I have always had a hard time with! I have always been given trials that have tested my patience. I feel like I learn all the patience I need and more, when suddenly something else will happen that makes me realize I really am not that patient! There are moments as a mom when patience isn’t exactly easy, but I promise next time you feel your temper rising, if you truly stop and think about your actions or words before you do or say them, your patience will be increased. Forgiveness goes along with this as sometimes our children or spouses make mistakes just like us, but if we forgive quickly, joy can be in our homes.

7. TAKE PICTURES: I love Pictures! I challenge you to take pictures daily! I love technology these days because it is so much easier to take a picture when you have it right on your phone. You don’t need to even worry about how many pictures you take either, because there is always the delete button! Cherish these special moments as a mom. Make your children smile. Days go by too quickly for us not to capture these joyful mommy moments.

8. UNDERSTAND: Understand that you can’t do EVERYTHING! With social media these days, it’s easy to start comparing ourselves to others. Know that no mom is perfect.

9. BELIEVE: Believe in yourself! Believe that you are doing your very best! Believe that Heavenly Father is so proud of you for being a mom during these latter days. Believe that you can do it and that you are loved!

10. GRATEFUL: Last, be grateful. This really hits home to me as I have had to struggle with infertility personally. My husband and I tried to have a baby for four years with no success. After several fertility treatments, we were blessed with our angel and miracle baby. I have a special place in my heart for women who ache to have children. I know how it feels to see a mother ungrateful for her children, when you would do anything in the world to have a child of your own. Be grateful. There are so many women in the world that are praying, hoping and wishing to hold the role of motherhood… how blessed we are. Do not take it for granted.

As President Monson said, “my sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey.” I know if we remember these 10 words, we will be able to find true joy in our journey of motherhood.

Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day!

December 7, 2013 by Danielle Davis | 2 Comments