For us busy moms, the work doesn’t stop with the days or nights after Christmas.  In fact, this is when the real work begins.  Post-holiday cleanup can just be as stressful as preparing for the yuletide season.  Just thinking about the tall tower of dirty dishes waiting at the kitchen sink puts a damper on your goals at applying that eyelash growth product on your lashes.

Once again, we moms put ourselves at the bottom of the list.  Everything else comes first: household chores, picking up your hubby’s socks, mending that hole on your son’s favorite jersey.

At the end of the day, all that matters is that everyone in the family is happy and healthy.  It’s occasions like Christmas when we realize how much we should be thankful for.

Hope your Christmas was merry.  I’m sure mine was!

This is where the value of gratitude comes into the picture.  Whenever I do something big or small for any member of my family, I can almost feel my heart do cartwheels when they say a simple “thank you” to me.  Any form of gratitude elates my spirit and only motivates me to do more things for them.

This post may be a little too early for Thanksgiving, but there’s never a set date to show our thanks to the people we hold most dear to our hearts.  Whenever the opportunity presents itself, say thanks to whoever has gone the extra mile- or inch- for you.  A grateful heart makes for a happy family.

It’s been ages since we last saw one another, as we each have our own daily troubles to keep us preoccupied.  W e hardly have the time to catch up on each others’ lives.  The days of endless chatter on the phone and long stretches of hours together over coffee are long gone.  A gazillion other responsibilities have taken over the simple joy of girlfriends convening to talk about hunky men and figure-flattering jeans.

It’s always important to touch base with who you are- apart from your husband, kids and the seemingly insurmountable household chores.  As much as you can, try to carve out some time for yourself.  If you can’t physically be together with your girlfriends, try to at least call them up or send them a text message.  Don’t even think about posting on their Facebook wall, as nothing can be more impersonal.  It is pretty easy to be insincere online, believe me.  If your schedules allow you to, mark off a day to meet up at a nearby restaurant, even for just a couple of hours.

Friends are there for a reason.  They help remind us who we are- that we can still be sexy and fashionable despite our mommy duties.  Value them, as they are truly indispensable in this ever-changing world.

Image source: aboutpixel.de / Babyfüße © Rico Kammerer

For any mother who has carried her baby in her womb for nine months, finally hearing her baby’s first cry as she emerges from your belly is simply a joyous occasion.  Celebrating your newborn baby’s birth into this world is something which is at the top of your list.  What can you do to commemorate this momentous event in your lives?

Before anything else, friends and family should understand that you are only too tired and sleep-deprived to take on the planning details for a welcoming party for your newborn.  Instead of dropping by your place and potentially infesting your house with human-germs, well-wishers can instead give you a quick phone call or send flowers, a card or even food your way. 

The grander celebration can come a few months after, when you and your partner have pretty much adjusted to having a baby in your lives.  By then, your baby will have become more physically resistant to infection, and can accommodate a few cheek-pinching sessions with your beloved guests.

A couple’s happiness over the birth of a newborn is almost infectious.  Just sympathize with them for the meantime and save the visits for later.  They will surely appreciate your concern.

Image source: aboutpixel.de / Riese II © Daniel Werner

As I was cruising down the road today with one of my best friends, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude within me.  Not only because she paid for lunch, but because I felt thankful that nobody I know is cooped up in one of those drug rehab treatment centers.  I feel blessed that my friends and family are all well-adjusted people who do not have to depend on narcotics and the like just to help them get through life.

It is but normal to hit some bumps in the road and to feel sadness or hopelessness once in a while, as we are only human whose souls get bruised when faced with adversity in all its various forms.  We just have to learn to handle life’s occasional misfortunes and force a positive outlook on things.

It, of course, helps to have faith in a Higher Being.  Whatever religion you belong to, engaging in daily prayer does wonders in uplifting your spirits.

Having a good support system helps remind us of the good things in life.  When things go awry, it’s always comforting to know that you have your BFF or family to turn to.

If you are on a quest for wedding rings or bands for you and your soon-to-be lifelong partner, keep him involved. If possible, take him with you when you go ring-shopping. You’d want to consider his personal style and taste when picking out wedding rings. Decide which band metal you want: yellow gold, white gold, or platinum. White gold is the more popular choice, as it goes well with silver and gold, without costing as much as platinum. You can go for artcarved rings in platinum if you’re willing to spend a little more.

For now, the consolation is seeing my grandbaby. I brought him some baby gifts but I haven’t even seen him wear them. Good thing my daughter made a picture. Look here, isn’t he adorable?

Learn to trust your partner. Love entails trust, so just believe that your partner loves you and won’t replace you for a hotter-looking girl in the blink of an eye.

Invest time in your relationship. Set aside some time to enjoy doing something with your significant other. Whether it’s just pigging out in front of the TV, or beating the hell out of each other at badminton, what’s important is you are able to create memories with the one you love.

The first on my list would be to create a medical assistance program for the marginalized people. A portion of my winnings would be placed in a foundation to help unfortunate but deserving kids go to school. I would donate some money to the church too.

The rest on the winnings, I am not sure yet on how to splurge it. How I wish the next lottery jackpot winner would be willing to share the blessings with other people too.