New Year Resolutions Every Mom Must Make (and follow)

Are you among the hundreds of people who make January promises and forget about them completely even before January ends? Well! I am definitely a part of that club.

We bought in the New Year very differently the previous year, it was our first with our baby afterall. Staying home with our infant (now toddler) was more of a quirky choice than can’t-really-go-anywhere-with-him kind of a necessity. I can foresee we are going to make a similar choice this year as well. We stayed in, indulged in baby care as devoted parents, at midnight after we wished each other, we were hoping the loud music and the sound of the crackers does not wake our baby up (I loved this more than any other New Year I have ever spent). To sum it up New Year’s Eve is different for parents, and so is the year to come. As a mom of a toddler I have resolved to make a few resolutions this year and ditch my pre-mommyhood self to follow these religiously. Although I believe there is no best time to change, I am going to begin trying this year and insist every mom must.

Get some sleep

BUT HOW??? Sleep when the baby sleeps? Then when am I going to do the zillion other things I have planned to do when he sleeps. I believe it’s a myth that as the child grows, moms sleep better. There has been a slight change since the new mom phase, but now that my son is more active during his wake hours, his nap time is the time I can dedicate to other things (like writing this post). But I have resolved to get atleast an extra hour of sleep. I am going to be okay, if I leave a few things undone. I may sound sluggish, but ask a mom and she would tell, what I mean. So moms, let’s present ourselves the well deserved hours of rest, atleast a few times a week.

Be more patient

Yes!This one is second. It is on my list before getting time for myself or for my family or for my girlfriends. I want to reduce the number of times I loose my cool on my son. This followed by keeping my cool with my husband, myself and the others as well. When my son throws a tantrum I distract his attention by simply pointing my nose and he forgets everything and makes a sound (which I believe means ‘nose’) To this any spectator states – he is such a drama queen. But this kid reminds me to take a deep breath and forget what’s annoying and do what you like. That’s what I am going to do this 2017.

Drop Mom guilt

Or atleast drop it to half. I wake up feeling guilty, my son slept without the blanket on, I should have been careful, I should have woken up a little earlier so my mother in law did not have to do the bit of cooking she did, I should have played with my son instead of cleaning the house, I should have cleant the house a little more, I should have added dry fruits to my baby’s porridge, I should have called my mom atleast today, I should have not ignored my son to peep into my phone, I shouldn’t have sneaked out of the house to get my eyebrows done and the list never ends, NEVER! This New Years I resolve to be OKAY.

Take more time for myself

As mentioned above, I feel guilty about taking time out for myself. But in 2017, I am going to indulge in guilt-free ME TIME, even if it is only thirty minutes a day. And every mom must! Spend the time how you like – read a book, laze around, visit a spa, just listen to music, watch a movie, slip into the blanket with a packet of chips, or just go take a shower alone. Taking a little time away from being a mom, has always made me a better one. I am sure this one is going to work for you too.

Reduce screen time

For my son and for myself. In the quest to be able to finish the other chores I put on music on television for my son. He dances, but stares at the screen as well. For myself, I sometimes tend to find something very interesting on Facebook and ignore the little hand approaching me to pull me into the play world. So it’s definitely lesser screen time for both of us the coming year.

Date my partner

I have missed the random movie, dinner or a even a walk through the mall dates with my partner. They are less likely to return in 2017, because we are still going to visit the play areas, parks, zoo, exhibitions and play zones. But I resolve to steal a couple of hours, with my husband, in my pyjamas, with some vodka (only for the husband, mama breastfeeds, cola would suffice),and the latest movie DVD, or I could ask him to teach me to play rummie! Dear husband, let’s resolve to do this every weekend when the boy passses into slumber.

Slow down a bit

I often wonder why am I always on the rush. I need to get ready fast, I need to cook, clean and wash before the baby becomes cranky, I have to quickly get my son ready and take him to play, (and who says a SAHM has a chilled out life, please raise your hand, we need to talk!) But why does everything have to be done so fast. I resolve to breath, it’s okay to be late sometimes, it’s okay if everything is not in place, it’s okay to slow down sometimes.

Workout

Running after a toddler through out the day is quite a calorie burner. But for 2017, I am up for some real workout, obviously with the baby involved. More of Babywearing walks or a aerobics session with the baby dancing along is definitely on the list for the coming year.

Be okay with taking help

After I have been a mother for a year and a half I have realised there is nothing to be guilty about taking help. In 2016, when my son was at his crankiest best, clinging to me all day, I was adviced to keep a domestic help who would help with baby chores, but I did not do it. I hesitate asking the family to do anything with the fear of burdening them. But I cannot do it all by myself and it’s okay to admit it. I am going to ask for help whenever I need it and accept the help when it’s there. Even if it is asking my friend to hold the diaper bag.

At the end I am going to love myself for whatever I am. This is the most significant resolution Every mom needs to make. We can never bring about a change, unless we cherish what we are and what we have. So, mommas we are definitely going to get better the coming year. Maybe not all at once, but in little moments each day.

Wish you and your loved ones a HAPPY NEW YEAR

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