17 HABITS OF VERY HAPPY MOMS

1. Ask for help

Happy mothers are not afraid to ask for help from family and friends. While other, moms miss those out-of-town weekends and movie nights with their husband because they can't find a babysitter or a willing relative, Very Happy Moms just say, "Please."

2. Leave the house—now

Have you been outside today? Fresh air, sunlight, and nature are believed to be critical mood enhancers for women, and moms can get this little lift while pushing strollers or swings. Look around that playground. Who looks happy? Go talk to her, right now.

3. Plan some big fun

Work really hard to find time and money for vacations. Take away the alarm clocks, the homework, the deadlines...bring on the sunsets, the sand castles, the card games. Suddenly you remember why you spend so much time doing other people's cooking and laundry lol!

4. Get your groove on

You call him "honey," and he calls you "sugar" -- but are you giving each other enough sweetness? Happy moms like getting busy. It'll put a smile on your face. And it's nice to have a Very Happy Husband hanging around.

5. Eat, sleep, and be merry

Being sleep-deprived may be a badge of honor for those with young children, but the sooner you can figure out how to get your eight hours back, the more delirious with joy you will be. Follow that well-deserved rest with a bowl of oatmeal and a banana instead of three cups of coffee and the remains of somebody's pop-tart and see what happens.

6. Have a six-pack

You will think main habit of Very Happy Moms might be popping happy tablet if any, but when asked around and not a single happy mother mentioned drugs.They did mention, in droves, was exercise. And of course they're right: Just about equal to how good regular exercise makes us feel is how insidiously the gloom creeps in when we weasel out of it. Fortunately, to a mom, exercise can feel almost self-indulgent -- after all, you're doing something for yourself, in the company of other grown-ups.

7. One is not the loneliest number

Carving out time away from the kids is crucial, whether it's bowling night with the girls or just a long bath/Jacuzie with a magazine.

8. Be nice to thy good neighbor

You would think that moms would be tapped out in the giving department. But most happy moms make doing things for others a regular part of their lives, whether it's baking a cakes for a family with a new baby or offering a ride to an elderly friend. Remember: Your helpfulness is another deposit in the karma bank.

9. Love the one you're with

The happiest moms don't compare and compete. Neither they, nor their kids, nor their cars, nor their houses have to be the smartest, cutest, newest, or neatest. The green-eyed monster has chewed up the happiness of many a mom..lol!

10. Hang with your gal pals

Very Happy Moms have close mom friends. Knowing that others are in the trenches with you is key. From the super-petty issues to the deadly serious crises, I don't know how I would have made it without some close ones. Over the years, they have patiently listened to my long stories involving extremely important personal topics.

11. Plan a little fun

Very Happy Moms sometimes buy themselves flowers and chocolates, just in case no one else has thought of it. They meet their husbands for lunch, and/or get a facial or massage.

12. Play with the rules

One of the best things about being the person who makes the rules is bending them. With each of my kids, I allow certain treats that have a slightly wicked (in a good way) feel that will keep everyone happy.

13. Pick and choose

Separate the siblings and enjoy some one-on-one time with each kid. No interrupting, no juggling, no sibling rivalry. What a joy!

14. Look ahead

When your happy times threatens to slip away altogether, remind yourself that "This too shall pass." It works both ways: Either you get through the terrible stuff by knowing it's not forever, or you put it into perspective by reminding yourself that the good stuff -- the sticky kisses, the cute little tutus -- will also soon be gone.

15. Forgive and forget

We all want to live up to our parenting ideals and do everything right all the time, and here we are, losing our tempers, being inconsistent, and bribing kids with sweets on a daily basis. Unfortunately, all the time you spend menacing and gruelling yourself for this is more time when your best self is not there for your kids. Very Happy Moms know that even the best of us have days from hell. They let those days go and get on with exercising and vacation planning.

16. Pee in your pants laughing

Kids love to see their moms smile and happy (mine actually comment on it, if that tells you anything), and research is starting to show that just crumpling your eyes, turning up the corners of your mouth, and laughing can produce the happy brain chemical serotonin. At least it will make you look really ridiculous, which will make your kids laugh. And laughing really hard with your kids is one of the best Very Happy Mom secrets of all.

17. Cuddle up

Though I consider myself atimes a grouchy mom, I share this with the very happy moms, have a hug habit. "Hugs and snugs and snoodles" is how my 4-year-old, and I refer to our canoodling sessions. Happy moms cuddle their kids every chance they get, which is smart since those chances diminish through grade school and then disappear altogether by the time your former cuddler gets her driver's license and have a girlfriend or boyfriend.