Tips for Turning Around a Bad Day
Being a mom is a full time job. Â A full-time job that doesn’t have much time off or down time.
There are days that just sour and Kids Activities Blog loves these ideas to stop bad days in their tracks!
We moms we can make it through most days tired but still smiling, but there are some days (you know the ones I mean!) that just seem totally unfixable. Everyone is grumpy, nothing on the to-do list gets looked at, and things are just miserable.
If you’ve ever had a day like that, you’re not alone.
Those are the days that I just give in to it. I forget about my long list of chores, and decide to just relax, reconnect as a family, and slow down. I then do one (or all!) of the five things listed below, and everyone starts feeling much better.
I hope these ideas will help you the next time you are having one of “those” days.
5 Ways to Turn a Bad Day Around
1. Get outside.
Just ten minutes outside can help to calm things down and make everyone feel better. Simply sit in the back yard, walk around the block, kick a ball around, blow some bubbles, eat your lunch on the grass, or read a book together. If things aren’t going well in our day, the first thing I do is head outside, no matter what the weather is like. Soaking up the warm sun, feeling a breeze on our cheeks, or splashing in rainy puddles – they are all an instant mood lifter.
2. Dance! Â
Turn up the music and move! It doesn’t matter what the music is, just dance. Even if it’s just about the last thing you feel like doing, get up and move. This is a brilliant antidote to bad moods and tempers and before long everyone will be feeling better. Giggles and smiles are guaranteed.
3. Play.
Just like the dancing, playing might be the last thing you feel like doing, but it can really help to reconnect everyone when tempers have frayed. Â If things have been loud and crazy, then you might choose something quiet and calming like working on a jigsaw puzzle together, or if everyone’s been feeling a bit glum, you might choose something more physical like a game of hide and seek. Either way, you’ll be feeling more relaxed and the kids will appreciate the quality time you are spending together.
4. Bake something yummy.
Haul the kids into the kitchen and have them help you bake a cake, a batch of cookies or whatever yummy treat is your family’s favorite. Let kids go crazy decorating your creations and then have a little party as you gobble up the freshly bakes goodies. Not into baking? Make some ice-cream sundaes!
5. Be kind to yourself.
Let yourself off the hook a little bit. Don’t let your inner voice get you down. Everyone has “those” days, and you are not a failure because things have not gone well. Give yourself a break. Take the night off from cooking and buy take-out or surprise your kids and let them eat cereal for dinner! They will think you’re the coolest Mom on the block.
What is your favorite way to diffuse a bad day?
Photo credits: D Sharon Pruitt
We love to dance at my house. It really does turn around a day!
My motto on bad days is “this too shall pass,” and then I try to focus on what can make us happy – no matter how silly or messy. Dancing is definitely a favorite and so is spending time outside (even if it’s chilly out).
Great ideas. To be honest, my “go to” is a timeout for everyone, clearing our heads, crying our frustrations out and then reconnecting with good books, a board game or going outside.
Board games are great for that! I agree on the general time out – sometimes I need one :).
I had one of those days today. Too many things to do, things not working out as I had planned, and a general sense of frustration. What did I do? Stopped trying to be productive and…watched reality TV! Everything will be there waiting for me tomorrow…when I am refreshed and ready to give it a go again.
I love that!!! I am a little addicted to Netflix and that always seems to help too.
These are great tips to make nay day better! Sometimes I find stepping outside for a few moments and enjoying the sunshine can make a huge difference for my attitude and outlook.
These are wonderful- thank you! I think I will print them off and put them on the fridge. 🙂
Love, Joy
Yesterfood
great ideas…I love anytime I can act child like and play…getting outside always helps and we try to go outside as much as possible because it makes little boys especially happy!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Some days are tougher than others. Swimming or baking in the kitchen is our go to when the day needs a little sunshine and happiness to turn the day around. Thank you for linking up this week to the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop 🙂
I agree with going outside! Sometimes I don’t realize how much I need to just open the door and take a 2 minute break from the noise. Walk to the mailbox and check the mail. Or take the long way back from taking out the garbage. I feel so much better after that!
I love this! I definitely have some days that just don’t seem to be going right! It’s good to take a little break. I’m featuring this at my link party tonight and pinning!
Wonderful ideas!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Yes, yes and yes! Trust me, there’s lots of dancing over here 🙂 Thanks for sharing and linkin up to Sunday FUNday!
You have some great ideas here, Holly! Something I like to do, which could be related to your playing point, is find a fun craft or activity on Pinterest that we haven’t tried yet. If the kids (or Mom) have bad moods, this helps them forget about it as they focus on something new and exciting 🙂
I found your post on MamaGab’s Pin it Party. Thanks for posting!