Hello darling,
Welcome back to the blog! It’s 7:30 AM, and my house is already buzzing with activity. My coffee maker is on, and my daughter is asking for cereal (again), while I’m trying to locate my other slipper, only to realise it’s under the sofa—next to a huge amount of building blocks, and a small teddy that probably hasn’t been touched in weeks.
This is my daily reality, and if you’re a mum, it’s probably yours too. The chaos is real. But in the midst of the mess, the noise, and the unpredictable nature of motherhood, I’ve discovered a few habits that have completely improved my life. They’ve brought me more peace, more joy, and even the ability to laugh through the mess (most of the time). Here are 10 habits that have made all the difference.
1. Starting My Day with Prayer and the Word
I’ve learned the importance of grounding myself spiritually every single day. Before anything else, before the requests start coming in or the to-do list starts growing, I take a moment to reconnect with God. A quiet time in prayer and reading the Bible is like a spiritual coffee essential to wake up my soul. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of daily life, but taking this small step before diving into anything else has been life-changing. It sets the tone for my entire day. I feel more patient, peaceful, and aligned with my purpose as a mother and wife. Some mornings, though, the prayer might sound more like, “Lord, please help me not to lose my mind when I step on that building block,” but the point is, it works. With God’s help, I’m better prepared to handle whatever the day throws at me.
2. Involving My Daughter in Everything
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that kids want to be part of everything. Whether I’m cooking, cleaning, or even doing work that requires concentration (yes, I know it’s a stretch), I try to involve her. It’s not always about getting things done quickly or perfectly, but about making her feel important and teaching her valuable life skills. Plus, it’s an opportunity to bond. So now, I let my little one “help” stir the soup (and by help, I mean make a mess with the spoon) while I cook. When it’s laundry day, we play a sorting game with the colours, and I end up with mismatched socks everywhere. But that’s okay! This habit has taught me that the time spent together, even in chaos, is more important than perfection. It also gives her a sense of purpose and belonging. Yes, my kitchen may look like a disaster zone at the end of a cooking session, but the memories we make are totally worth it.
3. Taking Care of Myself
I used to think that self-care meant taking time away from my daughter, but I’ve realised it’s essential for me to be my best self for her. A well-rested, well-cared-for mum is better for everyone. Whether it’s a 10-minute prayer before she wakes up, a bubble bath in the evening, or reading a few chapters of my favourite book, I’ve learned that prioritising my own well-being enables me to be more present and loving as a mother. And guess what? When I take care of myself, I’m less likely to have a meltdown over spilt juice. My daughter has learned that “mummy’s time” is sacred, even if that means I hide in the bathroom for five minutes. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to feel recharged and ready to tackle the next meltdown—or tantrum—or an endless string of “Mummy, can I…?”
4. Not Comparing Myself to Other Mums
Motherhood is unique to every individual, and I’ve learned to cherish my own path. I stopped comparing myself to other mums who seem to have it all together with their perfectly organised homes, Pinterest-worthy lunches. It took a while, but I finally realised that comparison only breeds frustration and guilt. Every family operates differently, and that’s okay. I now focus on what works for me and my family. I’ve come to understand that my best is enough, even if it doesn’t look like someone else’s “best.” The world doesn’t need another perfectly curated Instagram mum, what matters is the love and care I give. Besides, I’m convinced the true meaning of motherhood is learning to live through the chaos, not trying to control it. So here’s to a home filled with love, laughter, and a bit of mess!
5. Limiting Screen Time
Limiting screen time not just for my daughter but for myself as well. I realised that when I spent less time on my phone or watching TV, I was more engaged and connected with her. So now, we have designated “screen-free” hours, and I’ve noticed how much more creative my daughter becomes during these times. She starts to entertain herself with games, crafts, and, occasionally, her own brand of “let’s pretend we’re a zoo” role-play. It’s a beautiful change. Honestly, I don’t even miss the endless scrolling. It turns out I enjoy real conversations with my 2-year-old daughter more than scrolling through memes (shocking, I know). The best part? We have more bonding time, fewer meltdowns over screen time limits, and—oh yes—my eyes are less strained. Win-win!
6. Setting Realistic Expectations
Motherhood can often feel like a never-ending to-do list, but I’ve learned to set realistic expectations for myself. Instead of trying to do everything perfectly or trying to keep up with an impossible standard, I now focus on what truly matters and let go of the rest. I used to stress over every little thing, like if the laundry pile reached Everest proportions or if my daughter’s snack options didn’t include organic everything, but now I’ve learned to choose my battles. (I am actually going through this currently within the book of Daniel) Perfection is overrated, and in the grand scheme of things, it’s the love we share, not the spotless floor, that truly matters. This habit has helped me avoid burnout and have more peace. And guess what? No one’s ever complained about the state of the house (except for me sometimes), and my daughter is happier with a loving, engaged mum rather than a stressed, perfectionist one.
7. The Chaos
There’s a lot of noise and chaos in motherhood, and instead of trying to control everything, I’ve learned to accept it. From messy playrooms to chaotic mornings filled and runaway shoes, I no longer feel the need to stress. Instead, I’ve learned to accept it as part of the process. Messes don’t stress me out like they used to. They’re just signs that my daughter is living, learning, and creating. I used to be the mum who tried to keep everything organised and pristine (and let’s be honest, a little uptight about it), but now I see the beauty in the chaos (to a point!). When my daughter dumps her entire box of toys on the floor, I don’t panic. Instead, I smile, roll up my sleeves, and play with her. A clean house isn’t the goal anymore—the goal is a happy, engaged child who feels free to explore and create.
8. Showing My Daughter That She Is Part of My Time with God
One of my favourite habits is involving my daughter in my quiet time with God. I often journal, pray, or read the Bible with her nearby, and I love showing her that my relationship with God isn’t something separate from her. I pray with her at bedtime, share Bible stories, and even have discussions about God’s love in our day-to-day lives. She also has her little bible, which I love to read to her. I actually changed up all her books to biblical ones, which she loves. It’s a beautiful way to model faith. My little one now says “Amen” with her hands folded, and I can’t help but smile. She’s learning that our faith is a big part of our family. I hope it will be something my daughter carries with her as she grows.
9. Taking Prayer Walks
Prayer walks have become a game-changer for me. Just a simple 30-minute walk with my daughter (or, on tough days, solo) allows me to connect with God, breathe in some fresh air, and clear my mind. I’ve found that it helps me regain perspective, especially on difficult days when I feel overwhelmed by tantrums or “mum brain” overload. On a prayer walk, I can ask God for guidance and clarity, and when I walk with my daughter, it’s a beautiful way for her to connect with nature. Plus, she loves it when I let her point out all the things she thinks are important
(including every stick and rock we come across).
10. Learning to Laugh at Myself
Lastly, I’ve learned the art of laughing at myself. Motherhood is messy, and I’ve made my fair share of mistakes along the way. From forgetting to pack the diaper bag to spilling a cup of water on the floor for the third time in one day, I’ve learned not to take myself too seriously. Laughter has been a lifeline, helping me to stay grounded and not get bogged down by my imperfections. It’s a reminder that I’m not supposed to have it all figured out, and that’s okay. When I laugh, my family laughs, and together we can find joy in the most unexpected moments.
Sending blessings to you!
Scherise. X
