How to Be a Fun Mom

I never used to describe myself as a "fun mom". That just wasn't me.

I was diagnosed with postpartum depression after I had my first baby and I remember worrying that he would turn out to be a serious kid because he rarely saw me smile. And it broke my heart.

Even after I moved beyond the PPD, I still wouldn’t have used the words 'happy' or 'optimistic' to describe me as a person, let alone a mom.

I accepted that this was just who I was.

I was practical, a realist, a glass-half-empty kind of person.

And I approached motherhood in the same, methodical way.

I made lists, I focused on schedules and routines, I read books and learned about developmental milestones, effective parenting, and how to build resilience in your kids.

I would look at other moms who seemed to be smiling and enjoying life and I’d wish I could be more like that.

But then I’d remember "who I was".

I'd remember how tired I was from working all day, sticking to the schedule each evening, and planning and our life as a dual-income household.

My Belief

It wasn’t until I started working with my own coach and learned the coaching tool that I’ve used every day since that I realized the fundamental difference between those “fun moms” and me.

The difference was they believed they could be fun. They believed that they could HAVE fun.

They weren't born with a "fun gene" that I was missing. They just decided that their lives should incorporate fun.

And that single realization changed everything for me.

I stopped clinging to this story that I was practical, realistic, and pessimistic and therefore couldn't have fun.

And I started learning how to have fun again.

I started tickling my kids, dancing like no one was watching, and lying on the grass to stare at the clouds.

I ran in the rain, played tag, and laughed at my son’s fart jokes.

Instead of arguing with my husband over who did more, I would laugh. (because we were both doing more and it was ridiculous to argue over it!)

And just this morning, my favorite song came on the car radio, and my son and I turned up the volume, sang along at the top of our lungs, and fist-bumped in the air... at 8:00 in the morning (sorry neighbors!).

I still don’t do kid birthday parties or make a huge deal out of holidays. That’s not fun for me. But that doesn’t mean I’m not a fun mom.

Who I Want To Be

By practicing, learning, and experimenting with having fun, I’ve been on this amazing journey.

A journey of being present, smiling, and enjoying my kids. Not because anyone's watching, but because it’s who I want to be. For me. For my husband. For my kids.

I’m here to be an example.

I’m a working mom who isn’t stressed out and tired all the time (I have my moments though, and I’m cool with that).

I'm present with my kids.

I produce amazing results in my work.

I love the relationship I have with my husband.

I’m creating a cozy and clutter-free home bit by bit.

And most importantly, I’m enjoying my life. My crazy life with 3 young kids, two full-time working parents, and everything in between.

I’m a fun mom. Not because I was born this way. But because I decided that this was how I wanted to live my life.

I’m on a mission to help other working moms CREATE the life that they want instead of just defaulting to what everyone thinks a working mom is (frazzled, stressed, tired).

If this speaks to you, I invite you to learn more about my coaching program and how we could work together to create the life you want to lead as a working mom.