Motherhood Advice That Actually Helps

by Connie Albers | Jun 11, 2025

Can motherhood feel lighter, even joyful, in the middle of the mess and chaos of life?

You wake up already tired. The baby didn’t sleep, the toddler has opinions about everything, and the dishes are multiplying faster than the laundry. You love your kids, but on some days, the weight of motherhood feels overwhelming. If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t keep doing this like I am,” you’re not alone.

But here’s the hopeful part: Some moms aren’t just barely surviving; they’re doing well. They still face chaos and challenges, but somehow, they find peace in the midst of it. And that raises an important question: What are those moms doing differently?

According to a 2025 report highlighted by The Washington Post and backed by data from the National Center for Health Statistics, while 1 in 4 moms report poor mental health, the other 3 are doing okay. That doesn’t mean life is easy for them, but they’ve discovered small shifts that make a big difference.

In this post, I’ll walk you through 7 practical, proven habits that help moms not just get by, but thrive. I’ll cover how to build support systems, set healthy boundaries, practice restorative rhythms, ask for help, redefine success, anchor your heart in biblical truth, and use simple tools that make daily life easier. These steps aren’t about doing more. They’re about living more intentionally, more peacefully, and more joyfully. And they actually help.

1. Build a Support System Helps

Moms who thrive have one thing in common: they are not doing this alone. One mom I know shared how every Thursday, her neighbor comes over for an hour so that she can shower and reset. Another found peace when she joined a small group at church where they trade babysitting and share prayer requests. These aren’t grand gestures, but they make all the difference. Whether it’s a best friend, a prayer partner, or a small group, support matters. A 2023 study in the Journal of Family Psychology confirms that perceived emotional support is one of the strongest predictors of maternal well-being.

If you don’t have that yet, don’t panic. Start small. Smile at another mom. Join a local group. Text someone you trust. It’s the slow, steady connections that become lifelines.

And while community is foundational, it’s just the beginning. Next comes protecting your peace with boundaries.

2. Set Boundaries That Guard Your Mind and Heart

Let’s be honest: boundaries can be rigid. But moms who are doing well aren’t afraid to say no to overcommitment or endless online comparison. Boundaries create margin, and margin creates rest. Rest is one key factor in helping mom thrive!

Dr. Caroline Leaf, a cognitive neuroscientist, teaches that unchecked stress rewires the brain in harmful ways. Saying no isn’t selfish; it’s protective.

One mom I coached shared that she had to set a firm bedtime for her phone, not just for her kids. “I was scrolling late at night and waking up exhausted. Once I turned off my phone at 9 p.m., I felt like I had my evenings back.”

Also, try muting accounts that leave you feeling “less than.” Give yourself permission to pause the things that steal your peace and happiness.

With some margin in place, you’ll have room to establish essential daily rhythms of rest.

3. Practice Daily Rhythms That Restore You

Moms who are thriving don’t wait for a vacation to recharge. They build rest into their daily life in small, repeatable ways. A short walk. A warm cup of tea. Deep breathing during nap time. These micro-moments matter.

Research published in BMC Women’s Health shows that even 10 minutes of intentional rest can lower cortisol levels and improve emotional regulation.

So ask yourself: What is one calming habit I can do today? Then take action!

And sometimes, the most restorative thing you can do is reach out for help.

4. Ask for Help: And Receive It With Grace

Thriving moms know they can’t do it all. And they don’t pretend to. They ask for help from their spouse, kids, friends, or professionals. That doesn’t make them weak; it makes them wise.

Yet a 2024 report by Pew Research found that nearly 60% of mothers say they feel guilty asking for help. Let’s break that cycle. Accepting support is not a failure; it’s a step toward flourishing.

Choose one area this week to delegate or share. Let someone else carry part of the load.

Once help enters the picture, something beautiful happens—you begin to redefine what success really looks like.

5. Redefine Success Through a Lens of Grace

Moms who are thriving have stopped chasing perfection. They don’t measure success by a Pinterest-worthy dinner or a spotless house. They measure it by presence, connection, and grace.

Maybe the day was messy, but you stayed patient through a tantrum. Perhaps the chores got skipped, but you snuggled during story time. That’s a win. That’s success.

You get to define what success looks like in your home. Choose grace over guilt.

Grace becomes even more powerful when it’s anchored in something eternal.

6. Stay Anchored in Biblical Truth

Faith is the cornerstone for many thriving moms. Time with God doesn’t have to be long or elaborate—just consistent. A verse on your mirror. A prayer whispered in the kitchen. A worship song while folding laundry.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3. This is not just poetic. It’s a promise.

And if you’re looking for biblical wisdom and encouragement for raising teens, I encourage you to read my book, Parenting Beyond the Rules. It became a #1 Amazon Hot New Release because it meets parents where they are: honest, real, and full of hope.

Anchoring your heart spiritually prepares you to think practically about how to lighten your everyday load.

7. Simple Tools Can Make Life Easier

Moms who are thriving aren’t superhuman. They just simplify wherever they can. A weekly meal plan. A whiteboard for chores. A gratitude journal. These aren’t luxury items, they’re tools of survival and sanity.

For example, start with one: a timer for 15-minute cleanups or a checklist to reduce mental clutter. Every small system you put in place buys back a little more peace.

Final Thought: You Don’t Have to Do Everything to Change Everything

One habit. One shift. One boundary. One prayer. That’s all it takes to begin moving from weary to well.

If you’re a mom who’s felt like you’re drowning, I want you to hear this clearly: you’re not alone, and you are not behind. There are real, proven ways to move forward, and they actually help.

And if you need a guide, a cheerleader, and a voice of reason, grab a copy of Parenting Beyond the Rules. You don’t have to parent perfectly. Just parent with presence, wisdom, and grace.