I’ve been reviewing the littlemummy archives, I re-read an article that I wrote in the first month after reading a book called Authentic.
The Happy Formula
Almost eighteen months on I still believe that the formula has some substance, but to get the best from it you need to be re-evaluating about once every three months.
So much changes as a parent, everyday the factors involved in true happiness change, our childrens dependancy on us, our need as people -not just as parents- to pursue something other than parenting, and financial issues too. Our income since having our daughter has likened a rollercoaster, there have been many ups and downs. For a while my husband was on a training wage, sometimes I was working part-time, sometimes not, at times we have received tax credits, at other times nothing.
Not constantly re-evaluating is what leads people, especially parents with their ever changing roles and responsibilities to get stuck in a rut. At least thats my take on it.
Are you managing to stay out of the rut?
3 Responses to “Re-evaluating the Happiness Formula”
I don’t know how to get stuck in a rut. Things constantly change when you are a parent. I have never really been able to just get comfortable. I may pretty soon, now that I have parented every age to 18, maybe there won’t be any “new” stuff. But I doubt it. My mom says it is still hard, and I am 36! She still wants to parent me, help me when things get tough, etc.
I don’t think I “re-evaluate” things, though. I just keep moving. We have 7 kids, from 1yr to 18yrs, and there is no time to stop.
Life is one big rat race. the different stages of our kids are interesting and very challenging. Being a full time working mom and mom of a 6 and 9 year old, there’s not much breathing time. i try to be very optimistic, and teach my children to have good attitudes with everything they do.
Wow, 7 kids and all those different ages, must be a real challenge with not much breathing time or “me’ time for your self. i have a sister who has 7 children also ranging in age from iyr too 19 years. She constantly is exhausted. My mom says there’s never a break, and says to me, enjoy them now, as little kids little problems and big kids big problems.
you really have your hands full, but I hope that you are able to escape sometimes either with yoru husband or a friends, and go for a cup of coffee and get some me time.