#momboss is trending, and we’re going to show you how easy it is to embrace! Here’s how to hire a mother’s helper!

You don’t have to be a business owner to need help. Momming is a full time job on its own, whether or not you also balance an out-of-the-home position, too. Being a parent keeps us on-call 24/7, in a way no other job in the world does. It’s also the most rewarding, so it’s absolutely worth it. But it does mean that the demands of our role as moms are always the most important part of our days, no matter what else we might have going on. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to think about what adding an extra pair of hands to help would do to ease our mental and physical loads. That’s where ZipRecruiter comes in. We’re going to show you how to hire a mother’s helper in 2023.

ZipRecruiter

 

You’ve already heard of ZipRecruiter for job seekers. If you’ve ever been in the market for a new position, there’s a good chance you’ve even used ZipRecruiter, yourself. But that’s not the only way ZipRecruiter can change your life. Using the Job Posting feature, you can find the help you need without wasting time on unqualified candidates. What do we mean by “finding help”? If you’re a mom, you know that you do the job of 50 people, but here are our top recommendations for jobs you can post on ZipRecruiter to make your life so much easier! Here’s how to hire a mother’s helper.

Mother's Helper

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If you've ever heard of a mother's helper, but wasn't sure what all that entailed, we've got you covered! If you're posting a job on ZipRecruiter for a mother's helper, you're searching for someone to help you with your kids while you're at home. They literally offer the extra pair of hands we mentioned. A mother's helper helps with your kiddos, basic chores, meal prep, and running errands. 

You might add a few more requirements to the job description when you post, like:

  • Keeping an eye on your little ones while you take a break (a shower, making a phone call, a power nap)
  • Homework help or help with homeschooling 
  • Snack preparation 
  • Monitoring older kids if you have a baby or newborn that you're also caring for
  • Helping to distract kids while you're in a Zoom meeting
  • Light laundry, tidying, and cooking

Really, a mother's helper is the person who allows you to complete the things that can be really difficult when you're also the sole caregiver for your family. Sounds like a dream, right?

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a mother's helper is $21/hr.

Nanny

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Nannies are 100% responsible for your kids when you're out of the house. Whether full time or part time, their main focus is on the kids. The difference between a mother's helper and a nanny is that a mother's helper works alongside you to help you with your tasks. For a nanny, caring for your children is their entire role.

When you're posting on ZipRecruiter in search of a nanny, there are a few requirements we suggest adding:

  • Transporting children to and from school, activities, playdates, birthday parties, etc.
  • Bedtime routines
  • Help with schoolwork
  • Kids' meal preparation
  • Maintaining kids' calendars and appointment schedules
  • Children's laundry 
  • Tidying kids' spaces: bedrooms, bathrooms, playrooms, and cleaning up after them in non-kid-dedicated areas

The national average salary for a nanny, according to ZipRecruiter, is $20/hr or $40,774/yr.

Housekeeper

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Housekeepers and house cleaners are two different things (we had no idea)! House cleaners are people you hire relatively infrequently (maybe once or twice a month on average) to do the deep, top-to-bottom cleaning of your home. A housekeeper is a more constant presence in your house and completes a list of agreed-upon chores using the supplies you provide. 

Your housekeeper job post on ZipRecruiter might include

  • Light cleaning throughout the house
  • Washing, drying, and putting away of dishes
  • Window cleaning
  • Taking out the garbage and recycling
  • Washing, folding, hanging, and/or ironing clothes
  • Restocking toilet paper, paper towels, etc.

ZipRecruiter lists the national housekeeper salary average as $20/hr or $40,624 a year.

Personal Assistant

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It's rare to find two personal assistants who do the exact same job. Afterall, the title is personal assistant, so the responsibilities are going to vary depending on what you need. You really can customize your PA's duties to suit exactly what you're looking for.

A Personal Assistant job posting on ZipRecruiter could include

  • Scheduling appointments
  • Making travel arrangements
  • Pet care
  • Help with kids, similar to mother's helper duties
  • Email correspondence 
  • Personal shopping
  • Paying bills
  • Managing your calendar 

ZipRecruiter lists the average personal assistant salary as $20/hr.

If you utilize the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

Photo: Pixabay

We all have those days. Find the other shoe. Wipe the toddler’s nose. Read a book for the 102nd time. Coffee got warmed up four times and you were never in any room, including the bathroom, by yourself. Some me time can be difficult to come by. But it’s so important.

Your family needs you. And you need to take care of yourself. We hear this all the time. But somehow we have chunks of time where it slips our minds.We get so consumed with being a parent we aren’t even sure what to do when we have a moment to ourselves.

So here is a friendly little reminder to take some time to recharge.

And while you’re doing that try these things to get the most out of those precious moments of time to yourself.

Read and Write

Find what inspires you whether it’s Brene Brown or a romance novel and get lost in the pages for a few minutes. Or take a few moments to write down your thoughts. Consider keeping a gratitude journal to keep track of things that make you happy. Research has shown that putting pen to paper relieves stress, slows down our thinking and helps alleviate anxiety. And who couldn’t use some stress relief?

Skip Social Media

The people in your newsfeed are not invited for your me time. So ignore the pings, resist the urge to scroll and focus on yourself. Consider your goals for the rest of the day and think about things that have gone right lately. You can watch your friend’s kid learning to walk later.

Meditation Apps

Social media might be out. But there are some amazing apps designed specifically for relieving stress and anxiety. These apps give you quick and easy guidance with relaxation tracks and check-ins about your mood. They’re perfect for regrouping, refreshing and motivating you to get back to your day.

Create

Research shows that creativity and play are just as important to our health as rest. Maybe knitting or scrapbooks aren’t your thing. Even something like creating a google photo album or editing the latest picture of your little can make you feel creative and accomplished.

Exercise

You had to know exercise would make this list. And of course it does because it’s so important. It doesn’t have to be a hot yoga class. A walk around the block can energize you and clear your head.

Think of your me time like a power nap. Just like naps, even if you don’t have time for 90 minutes you can make the most of the 20 you have. Treat me time the same way. When you find a moment use your time wisely, make the most of it, focus on yourself and recharge.

Your family will thank you.

I am a teacher turned work at home mama to two boys (June 2013 & July 2016.) When I'm not writing I'm playing with my kids or catching some time with my husband. Parenting is the most exhausting, rewarding, confusing and inspiring job I've had. And I wouldn't change any of it.

As a life coach, I’m a huge proponent of personal growth, and growth usually means change. Becoming happier often means re-engineering a bad habit, or starting a healthy new routine (like exercise or meditation). But sometimes the best thing that we can do for our happiness is stick with an old routine.

Researchers believe that the brains in both humans and animals evolved to feel calmed by repetitive behavior, and that our daily rituals and habits are a primary way to manage stress. Ever notice that you always drive to work the same way, even though there are dozens of other routes? Or that you always put deodorant on right after you brush your hair? Each of us has hundreds of little habits that carry us through the day. The fast-paced world we live in can feel quite unpredictable, but our daily rituals can help us feel more in control, often without us ever realizing it.

Return to routine. What daily routine or ritual did you drop this summer that you realize now provided you with a little respite of calm? What routine do you have now that you’ll stick with?

Christine Carter, Ph.D., is a coach and the author of RAISING HAPPINESS: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents.  A sociologist at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, her goal is to help parents bring more joy into their own lives and the lives of their children.

Want more great tips?
Happy Mom Tip #1: Disconnect
Happy Mom Tip #2: Stop Rushing Around
Happy Mom Tip #3: Express Gratitude
Happy Mom Tip #4: Organize
Happy Mom Tip #5: Forgive Someone
Happy Mom Tip #6: Get Excited About Someone Else’s Good News
Happy Mom Tip #7: Celebrate a Mistake
Happy Mom Tip #8: Talk To Strangers
Happy Mom Tip #9: Share Your Good News
Happy Mom Tip #10: Flex Your Generosity Muscle
Happy Mom Tip #11: Be Kind
Happy Mom Tip #12: Take a Break 
Happy Mom Tip #13: Dance Around
Happy Mom Tip #14: Make Yourself Guffaw
Happy Mom Tip #15: Take a Stroll
Happy Mom Tip #16: Go Out and Play With Some Friends
Happy Mom Tip #17: Give Out Some Hugs
Happy Mom Tip #18: Find Some Inspiration
Happy Mom Tip #19: Get Out into Nature
Happy Mom Tip #20: Imagine Your “Best Possible Future Self”
Happy Mom Tip #21: Get Enough Sleep
Happy Mom Tip #22: Let Yourself Feel What You Feel
Happy Mom Tip #23: Expose Yourself to Someone Else’s Pain
Happy Mom Tip #24: Turn Off the Boob Tube
Happy Mom Tip #25: Don’t Buy That Thing That You Really Want
Happy Mom Tip #26: Take a Blatant Nap
Happy Mom Tip #27: Play a Game That Makes You Happy
Happy Mom Tip #28: Spend Some Time Alone
Happy Mom Tip #29: Take a Power Nap
Happy Mom Tip #30: Learn Something New
Happy Mom Tip #31: Have an Easy Morning
Happy Mom Tip #32: One Kind Thing.
Happy Mom Tip #33: Exhale. Twice.
Happy Mom Tip #34: Stop Stalling 
Happy Mom Tip #35: Make Your Task List More Fun
Happy Mom Tip #36: Ignore Your Kids
Happy Mom Tip #37: Take 20
Happy Mom Tip #38: Call a Friend
Happy Mom Tip #39: Lower Your Expectations
Happy Mom Tip #40: Commit to Kindness
Happy Mom Tip #41: Automate a Hassle
Happy  Mom Tip #42: Say No to Someone Besides Yourself
Happy Mom Tip #43: Hang Out with an Animal
Happy Mom Tip #44: Listen to Your Favorite Songs
Happy Mom Tip #45: Skip Those Christmas Cookies
Happy Mom Tip #46: Write a Love Letter

photo courtesy of BZO via Creative Commons

We often forget that inspiration — along with its cousins elevation and awe — are positive emotions that make us feel more content, joyful and satisfied with our lives. One way to bring more of these positive emotions into our lives is to memorize a part of a poem that inspires us.

This is one of my favorite Mary Oliver poems:

Wild Geese

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things.

The lines I say to myself for inspiration are, “the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting — over and over announcing your place in the family of things.”

Use the Internet to find a poem you remember loving. Print it out, highlight your favorite lines, and commit them to memory.

Christine Carter, Ph.D., is a coach and the author of RAISING HAPPINESS: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents.  A sociologist at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, her goal is to help parents bring more joy into their own lives and the lives of their children.

Want more great tips?
Happy Mom Tip #1: Disconnect
Happy Mom Tip #2: Stop Rushing Around
Happy Mom Tip #3: Express Gratitude
Happy Mom Tip #4: Organize
Happy Mom Tip #5: Forgive Someone
Happy Mom Tip #6: Get Excited About Someone Else’s Good News
Happy Mom Tip #7: Celebrate a Mistake
Happy Mom Tip #8: Talk To Strangers
Happy Mom Tip #9: Share Your Good News
Happy Mom Tip #10: Flex Your Generosity Muscle
Happy Mom Tip #11: Be Kind
Happy Mom Tip #12: Take a Break 
Happy Mom Tip #13: Dance Around
Happy Mom Tip #14: Make Yourself Guffaw
Happy Mom Tip #15: Take a Stroll
Happy Mom Tip #16: Go Out and Play With Some Friends
Happy Mom Tip #17: Give Out Some Hugs
Happy Mom Tip #18: Find Some Inspiration
Happy Mom Tip #19: Get Out into Nature
Happy Mom Tip #20: Imagine Your “Best Possible Future Self”
Happy Mom Tip #21: Get Enough Sleep
Happy Mom Tip #22: Let Yourself Feel What You Feel
Happy Mom Tip #23: Expose Yourself to Someone Else’s Pain
Happy Mom Tip #24: Turn Off the Boob Tube
Happy Mom Tip #25: Don’t Buy That Thing That You Really Want
Happy Mom Tip #26: Take a Blatant Nap
Happy Mom Tip #27: Play a Game That Makes You Happy
Happy Mom Tip #28: Spend Some Time Alone
Happy Mom Tip #29: Take a Power Nap
Happy Mom Tip #30: Learn Something New
Happy Mom Tip #31: Have an Easy Morning
Happy Mom Tip #32: One Kind Thing.
Happy Mom Tip #33: Exhale. Twice.
Happy Mom Tip #34: Stop Stalling 
Happy Mom Tip #35: Make Your Task List More Fun
Happy Mom Tip #36: Ignore Your Kids
Happy Mom Tip #37: Take 20
Happy Mom Tip #38: Call a Friend
Happy Mom Tip #39: Lower Your Expectations
Happy Mom Tip #40: Commit to Kindness
Happy Mom Tip #41: Automate a Hassle
Happy  Mom Tip #42: Say No to Someone Besides Yourself
Happy Mom Tip #43: Hang Out with an Animal
Happy Mom Tip #44: Listen to Your Favorite Songs
Happy Mom Tip #45: Skip Those Christmas Cookies
Happy Mom Tip #46: Write a Love Letter
Happy Mom Tip #47: Stick With Your Routine

photo courtesy of Torsten Mangner via Creative Commons

Have you seen the moving five minute video from StoryCorps about Danny and Annie? (If not, your happiness tip is to watch it now.)

The little love notes that Danny would leave for Annie defined their relationship. They weren’t particularly poetic, or long, or exciting. But they did the trick: they conveyed his love.

Think about his “Romantic Weather Report”: “The weather out today is extremely rainy, I’ll call you at 11:20 in the morning, and I love you, I love you, I love you.”

Any of us can write these letters, and when we do, the love in our life grows.

Leave someone in your life a little love letter today. How about a note for your daughter in her lunch box? A sticky on your husband’s windshield? A text to your mom that says you’re thinking of her? You could even leave a treat for your dog and call it a love note.

Christine Carter, Ph.D., is a coach and the author of RAISING HAPPINESS: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents.  A sociologist at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, her goal is to help parents bring more joy into their own lives and the lives of their children.

Want more great tips?
Happy Mom Tip #1: Disconnect
Happy Mom Tip #2: Stop Rushing Around
Happy Mom Tip #3: Express Gratitude
Happy Mom Tip #4: Organize
Happy Mom Tip #5: Forgive Someone
Happy Mom Tip #6: Get Excited About Someone Else’s Good News
Happy Mom Tip #7: Celebrate a Mistake
Happy Mom Tip #8: Talk To Strangers
Happy Mom Tip #9: Share Your Good News
Happy Mom Tip #10: Flex Your Generosity Muscle
Happy Mom Tip #11: Be Kind
Happy Mom Tip #12: Take a Break 
Happy Mom Tip #13: Dance Around
Happy Mom Tip #14: Make Yourself Guffaw
Happy Mom Tip #15: Take a Stroll
Happy Mom Tip #16: Go Out and Play With Some Friends
Happy Mom Tip #17: Give Out Some Hugs
Happy Mom Tip #18: Find Some Inspiration
Happy Mom Tip #19: Get Out into Nature
Happy Mom Tip #20: Imagine Your “Best Possible Future Self”
Happy Mom Tip #21: Get Enough Sleep
Happy Mom Tip #22: Let Yourself Feel What You Feel
Happy Mom Tip #23: Expose Yourself to Someone Else’s Pain
Happy Mom Tip #24: Turn Off the Boob Tube
Happy Mom Tip #25: Don’t Buy That Thing That You Really Want
Happy Mom Tip #26: Take a Blatant Nap
Happy Mom Tip #27: Play a Game That Makes You Happy
Happy Mom Tip #28: Spend Some Time Alone
Happy Mom Tip #29: Take a Power Nap
Happy Mom Tip #30: Learn Something New
Happy Mom Tip #31: Have an Easy Morning
Happy Mom Tip #32: One Kind Thing.
Happy Mom Tip #33: Exhale. Twice.
Happy Mom Tip #34: Stop Stalling 
Happy Mom Tip #35: Make Your Task List More Fun
Happy Mom Tip #36: Ignore Your Kids
Happy Mom Tip #37: Take 20
Happy Mom Tip #38: Call a Friend
Happy Mom Tip #39: Lower Your Expectations
Happy Mom Tip #40: Commit to Kindness
Happy Mom Tip #41: Automate a Hassle
Happy  Mom Tip #42: Say No to Someone Besides Yourself
Happy Mom Tip #43: Hang Out with an Animal
Happy Mom Tip #44: Listen to Your Favorite Songs
Happy Mom Tip #45: Skip Those Christmas Cookies 

photo courtesy of epSos.de via Creative Commons

I’m a big fan of high-fat foods; fat tastes good, after all. And research has shown that some types of fats, like Omega-3s, can calm us and even have antidepressant effects. But other studies show that trans-fats, or partially hydrogenated oils, may make us feel aggressive, and that they can trigger inflammatory reactions that are linked to depression, heart disease and cancer.

Trans-fats are typically found in processed foods–particularly fried foods and packaged baked goods. Since aggression, depression, heart disease and cancer are not happiness habits, clearly what we eat affects our happiness.

This week, make an effort to eat something high in a fat that is likely to make you feel good, such as something high in the omega-3 fatty acid DHA. DHA is found in oily fish, like trout and salmon. (If you are vegetarian, algae is the only DHA-rich vegetable source that I’m aware of.) Let that yummy smoked trout salad replace your side of french fries, chips, or (sigh) those cookies that came in a package.

Christine Carter, Ph.D., is a coach and the author of RAISING HAPPINESS: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents.  A sociologist at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, her goal is to help parents bring more joy into their own lives and the lives of their children.

Want more great tips?
Happy Mom Tip #1: Disconnect
Happy Mom Tip #2: Stop Rushing Around
Happy Mom Tip #3: Express Gratitude
Happy Mom Tip #4: Organize
Happy Mom Tip #5: Forgive Someone
Happy Mom Tip #6: Get Excited About Someone Else’s Good News
Happy Mom Tip #7: Celebrate a Mistake
Happy Mom Tip #8: Talk To Strangers
Happy Mom Tip #9: Share Your Good News
Happy Mom Tip #10: Flex Your Generosity Muscle
Happy Mom Tip #11: Be Kind
Happy Mom Tip #12: Take a Break 
Happy Mom Tip #13: Dance Around
Happy Mom Tip #14: Make Yourself Guffaw
Happy Mom Tip #15: Take a Stroll
Happy Mom Tip #16: Go Out and Play With Some Friends
Happy Mom Tip #17: Give Out Some Hugs
Happy Mom Tip #18: Find Some Inspiration
Happy Mom Tip #19: Get Out into Nature
Happy Mom Tip #20: Imagine Your “Best Possible Future Self”
Happy Mom Tip #21: Get Enough Sleep
Happy Mom Tip #22: Let Yourself Feel What You Feel
Happy Mom Tip #23: Expose Yourself to Someone Else’s Pain
Happy Mom Tip #24: Turn Off the Boob Tube
Happy Mom Tip #25: Don’t Buy That Thing That You Really Want
Happy Mom Tip #26: Take a Blatant Nap
Happy Mom Tip #27: Play a Game That Makes You Happy
Happy Mom Tip #28: Spend Some Time Alone
Happy Mom Tip #29: Take a Power Nap
Happy Mom Tip #30: Learn Something New
Happy Mom Tip #31: Have an Easy Morning
Happy Mom Tip #32: One Kind Thing.
Happy Mom Tip #33: Exhale. Twice.
Happy Mom Tip #34: Stop Stalling 
Happy Mom Tip #35: Make Your Task List More Fun
Happy Mom Tip #36: Ignore Your Kids
Happy Mom Tip #37: Take 20
Happy Mom Tip #38: Call a Friend
Happy Mom Tip #39: Lower Your Expectations
Happy Mom Tip #40: Commit to Kindness
Happy Mom Tip #41: Automate a Hassle
Happy  Mom Tip #42: Say No to Someone Besides Yourself
Happy Mom Tip #43: Hang Out with an Animal
Happy Mom Tip #44: Listen to Your Favorite Songs

photo courtesy of Moyan_Brenn via Creative Commons

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” –Plato

Loads of research shows that music can uplift and restore the spirit–so much so, in fact, that I have a “go-to” playlist of music that makes me feel happy. At the top of my list? Ray Charles’s “I Can See Clearly Now”; Luce’s “Good Day,” Martin Sexton’s “Happy,” Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed,” and Van Morrison’s “Full Force Gale.”

With so many online services offering free music (I like Pandora) it is easy to make a go-to happiness playlist.  Make yours today.

Christine Carter, Ph.D., is a coach and the author of RAISING HAPPINESS: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents.  A sociologist at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, her goal is to help parents bring more joy into their own lives and the lives of their children.

Want more great tips?
Happy Mom Tip #1: Disconnect
Happy Mom Tip #2: Stop Rushing Around
Happy Mom Tip #3: Express Gratitude
Happy Mom Tip #4: Organize
Happy Mom Tip #5: Forgive Someone
Happy Mom Tip #6: Get Excited About Someone Else’s Good News
Happy Mom Tip #7: Celebrate a Mistake
Happy Mom Tip #8: Talk To Strangers
Happy Mom Tip #9: Share Your Good News
Happy Mom Tip #10: Flex Your Generosity Muscle
Happy Mom Tip #11: Be Kind
Happy Mom Tip #12: Take a Break 
Happy Mom Tip #13: Dance Around
Happy Mom Tip #14: Make Yourself Guffaw
Happy Mom Tip #15: Take a Stroll
Happy Mom Tip #16: Go Out and Play With Some Friends
Happy Mom Tip #17: Give Out Some Hugs
Happy Mom Tip #18: Find Some Inspiration
Happy Mom Tip #19: Get Out into Nature
Happy Mom Tip #20: Imagine Your “Best Possible Future Self”
Happy Mom Tip #21: Get Enough Sleep
Happy Mom Tip #22: Let Yourself Feel What You Feel
Happy Mom Tip #23: Expose Yourself to Someone Else’s Pain
Happy Mom Tip #24: Turn Off the Boob Tube
Happy Mom Tip #25: Don’t Buy That Thing That You Really Want
Happy Mom Tip #26: Take a Blatant Nap
Happy Mom Tip #27: Play a Game That Makes You Happy
Happy Mom Tip #28: Spend Some Time Alone
Happy Mom Tip #29: Take a Power Nap
Happy Mom Tip #30: Learn Something New
Happy Mom Tip #31: Have an Easy Morning
Happy Mom Tip #32: One Kind Thing.
Happy Mom Tip #33: Exhale. Twice.
Happy Mom Tip #34: Stop Stalling 
Happy Mom Tip #35: Make Your Task List More Fun
Happy Mom Tip #36: Ignore Your Kids
Happy Mom Tip #37: Take 20
Happy Mom Tip #38: Call a Friend
Happy Mom Tip #39: Lower Your Expectations
Happy Mom Tip #40: Commit to Kindness
Happy Mom Tip #41: Automate a Hassle
Happy  Mom Tip #42: Say No to Someone Besides Yourself
Happy Mom Tip #43: Hang Out with an Animal

photo courtesy of Relaxing Music via Creative Commons

My parents recently adopted a dog, which has given me a new perspective on how animals bring happiness to humans. My parents were happy people before they met Cody, but rarely have I seen a sentient being bring so much sheer joy into a family.

I’m not surprised that research shows that greater health and happiness can come from caring for a pet. One study tracked “hypertensive stockbrokers” who adopted a cat or dog; caring for their new animals lowered their blood pressure more than prescribed medicine! And you may have heard about the study that found that dog-owners tend to get more exercise than folks without a dog. Exercise is, of course, a sure way to boost health and happiness.

All that said, I never recommend getting a puppy to families with young children. We parents are usually so tapped-out that the last thing we need to worry about is another mammal. But our families can still benefit from a little animal love by taking on lower-stress pets (research points to the benefits of a fish tank for some people; I’m also a big advocate of pet rats for kids) or by helping out with other people’s animals. My kids beg constantly for more animals, but our diabetic dog is enough for me to care for right now. So, to fulfill their pet cravings, they spend 2 hours after school once a week caring for a friend’s chickens, duck, and quail.

This week, find a cat to pet, a dog to walk, or a fish to feed. If you feel noticeably calmer after the experience, consider adopting!

Christine Carter, Ph.D., is a coach and the author of RAISING HAPPINESS: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents.  A sociologist at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, her goal is to help parents bring more joy into their own lives and the lives of their children.

Want more great tips?
Happy Mom Tip #1: Disconnect
Happy Mom Tip #2: Stop Rushing Around
Happy Mom Tip #3: Express Gratitude
Happy Mom Tip #4: Organize
Happy Mom Tip #5: Forgive Someone
Happy Mom Tip #6: Get Excited About Someone Else’s Good News
Happy Mom Tip #7: Celebrate a Mistake
Happy Mom Tip #8: Talk To Strangers
Happy Mom Tip #9: Share Your Good News
Happy Mom Tip #10: Flex Your Generosity Muscle
Happy Mom Tip #11: Be Kind
Happy Mom Tip #12: Take a Break 
Happy Mom Tip #13: Dance Around
Happy Mom Tip #14: Make Yourself Guffaw
Happy Mom Tip #15: Take a Stroll
Happy Mom Tip #16: Go Out and Play With Some Friends
Happy Mom Tip #17: Give Out Some Hugs
Happy Mom Tip #18: Find Some Inspiration
Happy Mom Tip #19: Get Out into Nature
Happy Mom Tip #20: Imagine Your “Best Possible Future Self”
Happy Mom Tip #21: Get Enough Sleep
Happy Mom Tip #22: Let Yourself Feel What You Feel
Happy Mom Tip #23: Expose Yourself to Someone Else’s Pain
Happy Mom Tip #24: Turn Off the Boob Tube
Happy Mom Tip #25: Don’t Buy That Thing That You Really Want
Happy Mom Tip #26: Take a Blatant Nap
Happy Mom Tip #27: Play a Game That Makes You Happy
Happy Mom Tip #28: Spend Some Time Alone
Happy Mom Tip #29: Take a Power Nap
Happy Mom Tip #30: Learn Something New
Happy Mom Tip #31: Have an Easy Morning
Happy Mom Tip #32: One Kind Thing.
Happy Mom Tip #33: Exhale. Twice.
Happy Mom Tip #34: Stop Stalling 
Happy Mom Tip #35: Make Your Task List More Fun
Happy Mom Tip #36: Ignore Your Kids
Happy Mom Tip #37: Take 20
Happy Mom Tip #38: Call a Friend
Happy Mom Tip #39: Lower Your Expectations
Happy Mom Tip #40: Commit to Kindness
Happy Mom Tip #41: Automate a Hassle
Happy  Mom Tip #42: Say No to Someone Besides Yourself

Our friendships and close relationships–both how many we have, and how positive they are–are one of the best predictors of our happiness. But in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our friends often get short-shrift.

This week, make time to call a friend just to catch up. Better yet, schedule time to do this regularly, preferably at the same time on the same day each week. Odds are that you’ll feel happier when you get off the phone, and you’ll be shoring up your friendships for the long-haul.

We’ve teamed up with  our friend Christine Carter, to bring you 52 simple tips (one each Monday!) on bringing joy and happiness into your own Mommyhood. Get more happiness tips by taking the Raising Happiness class or by reading Christine’s blog.

Want more great tips?
Happy Mom Tip #1: Disconnect
Happy Mom Tip #2: Stop Rushing Around
Happy Mom Tip #3: Express Gratitude
Happy Mom Tip #4: Organize
Happy Mom Tip #5: Forgive Someone
Happy Mom Tip #6: Get Excited About Someone Else’s Good News
Happy Mom Tip #7: Celebrate a Mistake
Happy Mom Tip #8: Talk To Strangers
Happy Mom Tip #9: Share Your Good News
Happy Mom Tip #10: Flex Your Generosity Muscle
Happy Mom Tip #11: Be Kind
Happy Mom Tip #12: Take a Break 
Happy Mom Tip #13: Dance Around
Happy Mom Tip #14: Make Yourself Guffaw
Happy Mom Tip #15: Take a Stroll
Happy Mom Tip #16: Go Out and Play With Some Friends
Happy Mom Tip #17: Give Out Some Hugs
Happy Mom Tip #18: Find Some Inspiration
Happy Mom Tip #19: Get Out into Nature
Happy Mom Tip #20: Imagine Your “Best Possible Future Self”
Happy Mom Tip #21: Get Enough Sleep
Happy Mom Tip #22: Let Yourself Feel What You Feel
Happy Mom Tip #23: Expose Yourself to Someone Else’s Pain
Happy Mom Tip #24: Turn Off the Boob Tube
Happy Mom Tip #25: Don’t Buy That Thing That You Really Want
Happy Mom Tip #26: Take a Blatant Nap
Happy Mom Tip #27: Play a Game That Makes You Happy
Happy Mom Tip #28: Spend Some Time Alone
Happy Mom Tip #29: Take a Power Nap
Happy Mom Tip #30: Learn Something New
Happy Mom Tip #31: Have an Easy Morning
Happy Mom Tip #32: One Kind Thing.
Happy Mom Tip #33: Exhale. Twice.
Happy Mom Tip #34: Stop Stalling 
Happy Mom Tip #35: Make Your Task List More Fun
Happy Mom Tip #36: Ignore Your Kids
Happy Mom Tip #37: Take 20

photo courtesy of Tres Sugar