Mom Fitness: So Moms, What Do You Think?

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

02 Jul 2008 12:37 PM

Newsweek features an interesting article this week that found moms who have kids are not necessarily happier. In fact, it showed that stay at home moms and moms who work have a lot of things in common when it comes to what makes them happy.

According to the list, the top things that made moms happy were:

• Taking a bubble bath alone
• Working out and going on a family holiday tied
• Receiving a massage or a romantic date with a spouse tied
• Playing with the kids or downtime by herself tied
• Sleeping

What was interesting is that both SAHMs and working moms would prefer 30 minutes to themselves than anything else if given the choice. Even odder was that 86% of the SAHMS they polled thought their kids would be happier if they went to work. 86% is a huge number. So I'm curious Moms, what do you think? When you rate your 'happier' moments - not happiest, I'm talking those moments when you relax, feel like yourself and enjoy most on a day to day basis - how would you rate them?

I had to think about it, but here is my top five moments:

1. My morning coffee. I get up very early and the household is asleep. I let the dogs out and I make my tea or my coffee and I just sit and I enjoy this time to myself. In summer time, I love to go outside and listen to the night birds and very early birds calling.

2. Watching my favorite television shows while I'm working out. It's a mixed combination of two things I really enjoy and I get a major kick out of. It's also just me time, time without the work, the kiddo, the dogs or anyone else. I am in the habit of turning off my cell phone during these time periods too.

3. Going bike riding with the kiddo (or any field trip really). I love getting away from the house when it's just the two of us (whether it's me and the kiddo or me and the husband). For some reason, when we're away from home, we can really relax and just enjoy each other's company.

4. Playing family board games. I love these moments, especially this summer with my daughter reading so much. She can really get into the games and enjoy the interactions.

5. Doing my homework. I'm finishing up a Bachelor's Degree in psychology and I adore working on my class stuff. Even when I'm frustrated and working hard, I find that I feel enormous satisfaction when I'm done and those are moments I wouldn't trade for anything.

So tell me Moms, what about you?

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger