Resolutions for Moms

As the new year starts, a lot of resolutions are made; about health, finances, but mostly changes for one's betterment.  I was looking through my bookmarks and I saw that I bookmarked this article from www.parents.com and it was appropriate for me as a mom and the new year.  Here they are:

1. I will embrace the fact that I am not perfect.
As moms, we usually try to do so many things at once just to prove that we can do it and here's the thing, we shouldn't be and no person is.  What our kids need from us is to be happy. I once read that a happy mom equals a happy home; so, try to be happy and see things in a positive light even if your kid and your baby are trying to get your attention at the same time.

2.I will get down on the floor and play with my child everyday.
So many things, so little time is what I hear most often from my mom-friends that they forget to give time to their children.  I guess I am lucky in that I work from home.  Mornings are spent playing with the baby and I can see that she is a happy baby.  You should see her when she wakes up.  She always has a smile ready to greet you that could brighten the room.

3. I will take care of my body.
I once said to my husband, "I take care of everybody, who takes care of me?" And you know what he said, "Yourself."  At first I was offended by this and felt like hitting him when he explained that since I was taking such good care of everyone, why don't I do the same caring for myself.  Smart man; although I am loathe to admit it. :)  It does make sense.  So, even if it is forced, I will devote at least 30 minutes of walking (around the neighborhood, at least) and eat sensibly (breakfast calling!).

4.I will learn to love the chaos.
If you're like me who is OC (obsessive-compulsive), then kids and their clutter are a constant headache.  My husband and I have since given up the fact that while the kids are still kids, there would not be any order in the house.  Well, for a few minutes maybe.

5.I will make the family dinner a priority.
My older daughter and I have been having our chats during breakfast and I see that it works wonders for her mood.  This resolution makes sense since it is the only time in the day that all the family members are present.  I remember Lucky Me advocating having dinner together.  And here's more, research has shown that kids who regularly have dinner with their parents are more likely to do well in school and stay out of trouble.

6.I will focus a little more on my marriage.
With all the things that we have to fit in a day, we forget that we are not alone and oftentimes, neglect our partners.  As my husband and I have been doing ever since we could leave the kids alone for a few minutes after dinner is to walk around the block.  This is the time where we can talk about our day and our plans for the future.  If this is not possible, we take the few minutes after our older daughter goes to school and the time before the baby wakes up, talking about the future over a cup of coffee.
 
7.I will make time for my friends.
You don't have to spend the whole afternoon with them--a phone call and in these modern times, an email or a chat would do.  Having friends help you blow off some steam and friendships take care of our emotional growth as well.

8. I will remind myself daily that time with my child is precious.
This is the whole essence of my being a work from home mom, childhood is fleeting.  The other day, I was commenting to my husband that I cannot believe that our older daughter is already a big kid and that grade one is about to be finished and in a few years time, we would be having a teenager. The same goes for our baby.  In a few days, our baby would no longer be a baby but a toddler as she will be one year old already.  I just could not resist to quote the online article as it aptly summarizes this resolution:

Motherhood never ends -- but childhood does. You have a baby, you blink, and suddenly there's a three-year-old standing in front of you announcing, "I'm big now." The magic years are unbelievably brief, and every day that little girl or boy is changing and growing, edging a little closer toward the door. Remember that the essence of parenting isn't in the milestones, but in the everyday moments. So stop, pay attention, and make sure you celebrate them every chance you get.