Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates how mothers work to enhance their well-being in the child-caring years, the effects of a positive state of mind during this time brings, and what hinders mothers from boosting their levels of happiness.
Method
A loosely structured interview was conducted with 23 mothers with infants living in City A. All interviews were taped and transcribed verbatim. The data was then analysed qualitatively and inductively.
Results
The methods that mothers used to heighten happiness during childcare included (a) adding some creativity to their daily life to a moderate extent; (b) listening to others' childcare experiences and thereby feeling relieved; (c) maintaining peace of mind through good time management; (d) praising themselves after overcoming tough situation/difficulties; (e) feeling rewarded for the stress of childcare; (f) relying on and appreciating people with whom they live with; and (g) feeling united with their children in terms of time, space and emotions. The factors that hindered mothers from enhancing their well-being while raising children were (a) fatigue and frustration derived from compounded stress; (b) their nature to try to do more than they can handle; and (c) inability to trust others with self-imposed determination to do everything by themselves. Mothers' good well-being during the child-caring years was found to boost levels of thoughtfulness, a driving force in childcare, and comfort.
Conclusion
Factors such as the addition of some creativity into their daily life to a moderate extent, positive thinking, having contact with others and, especially, listening to them, and feeling united with their children in terms of time, space and emotions are considered to more effectively boost mothers' happiness. It was found that feeling happy more frequently contributed to even greater overall happiness, which in turn resulted in increased consideration for other family members, including their children. It is also assumed that reliance on and gratitude to people whom they live with, feeling rewarded for their stress, confidence gained through managing tough situation, and maintaining peace of mind through good time management are among factors that could change mothers' mentality, thereby boosting their happiness.
