Stress Free Zone: 3 Mommy Mantras
Calling all moms of young children! As a mom, do you wish there was a time machine that could whirl you to a spa for just a moment while you regroup and catch your breath? Sort of a Stress Free Zone that was instantly available during the moment when you know you will go crazy if you don’t get a break?
Being a mom is one of the toughest jobs on earth. I know; I’m a mother, too. We raised two families because our two sets of children were about nine years apart. Here's some wisdom for all you moms in the fray of the mommy battlefield, a set of three phrases to use for self-talk. Two of these I used repeatedly during my child raising days. The third is a suggestion I recently read. It struck a cord with my mother’s heart and mind.
“This too shall pass”
Call me optimistic, Pollyanna, unrealistic, naïve, or whatever words you attach to someone who can mentally power through tough moments in a dignified manner. When I learned the phrase, “This too shall pass,” my outlook began to improve greatly. Saying this put things back into perspective. It pointed me to a time beyond the current problem I was facing. It gave me hope by reminding me of a faithful God who who owns the future.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans not to harm you, but to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:10-11
“I’m praying for you”
Saying this to others when they are hurting is so comforting. But here's a twist: have you ever thought of saying this to yourself? We often promise others to pray for them, but what about saying this to our own inner self, and saying it to our children as well?
Our heavenly Father wants us to come to him in prayer. Praying for our children while they listen is powerful. Teaching them to pray for others is giving them a life line to tap into God's power. Confessing our sins to God in front of our children shows kids the way. When we cry out to the Lord for forgiveness and healing, we acknowledge our need for him in our lives. Do you think your children need to hear you are connected to Jesus and his saving grace?
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16
“I know, I’m a mother, too”
A few months ago a wise mother struggled with what to say to a woman whose child was sick and hurting. She posted her advice to say to other moms, "I know, I'm a mother, too." This phrase struck a cord with me. It reminds me that I am, by God’s grace, privileged to be a mother.
It also reminds me that I understand what this job title entails without having to say a word to another mom. We have this unique bond as women. We share the vulnerability that being a mother creates. Knowing the joys, sacrifices, heartbreaks and challenges of parenting creates in us a sense of compassion for one another. We willingly reach out to help other moms when the going gets rough.
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. I Peter 3:8
Through these three mommy mantras, God helped me find a stress free zone. With these simple phrases, the battlefield of my own mind became more manageable. I hope these sayings will help your self talk, too, because the less stress we experience, the more joyful we can become.
What are your favorite stress-free phrases?