Don’t Miss the Giggles

See end of post for book Giveaway:  31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom

It was my first time meeting with the Sales Director and the VP of Marketing at the publishing house of my first book.  Think power breakfast in the big leagues.  And do you know what I introduced as the first topic of conversation?

“My husband James took our two-year-old daughter to the bathroom this morning and she went number two for the first time in the toilet!”

Yes, I really said that.

Our daily lives as moms are filled with the laughable, absurd, quotable, darling, hilarious, and at times downright crude.  Today I want to challenge you to find the funny in it all.  If you look around with a light heart and eyes wide open, you’ll find plenty of material for hours of stand-up comedy.

When my daughter was five, Noelle called tangerines “tambourines.”  As we went through the grocery store, she excitedly pointed and said, “Oh, let’s get some tambourines!”  That made a grandma standing nearby smile.  “My grandson calls shampoo ‘Shamu’!” she said.

My son Ethan called the chocolate malt balls “Whoopers” instead of “Whoppers.”  Lucy insisted on being called “Cinderwella.”  I’m sure you have a list of these funny sayings too if your children are young.  Write them down while you remember.  Keep a journal of funny moments with your kids.

It says in Proverbs 17:22 that “a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”  Here you see the correlation between your inward life and your physical and mental health.  This verse is about your ability to persevere through the years.  The word medicine only occurs here in the Old Testament.  A crushed spirit refers to being depressed or sad.

The Bible gives us an antidote to depression, sadness, and deteriorating health:  a cheerful heart.  A happy heart.  Other translations say a merry heart.  The idea here is someone who is delightful, full of festivity and high spirits, and joyous.  Don’t worry if you feel too Eeyore-like to fit this description.  Chances are you have some kids around who can help you laugh more frequently.

Sometimes the lifeline out of fatigue and the doldrums comes through the funny comments of your children.  That is, if you make the point to notice and cherish those moments.  And giggle!

GIVEAWAY INFO:  We are giving away a copy of Arlene’s new book, 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom  Email me at Karol@Karolladd.com with subject line Book Giveaway, and I will randomly select a winner.

Arlene Pellicane is a speaker and author of 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom and 31 Days to a Happy Husband.  She is also the co-author of Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World (with Gary Chapman).  She has been a featured guest on the Today Show, Fox & Friends, Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, The 700 Club, and Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah. 

Arlene lives in the San Diego area with her husband James and their three children.

To learn more and for free family resources such as a monthly Happy Home podcast, visit www.ArlenePellicane.com

Video link:  https://youtu.be/SV2ewzM1THE