If you are looking for some practical and effective New Year’s resolutions for moms, you’re in the right place! Can you believe it’s that time of year again? It is the most magical time of year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, spend time with our family, reflect on the year that is quickly ending, and think of the New Year ahead.
Now, I will say, personally, I have strayed away from the traditional New Year’s resolutions. The reason for that is because sometimes… just simply saying and declaring, “This year I’m going to lose weight” or, “This year I’m going to start getting up earlier,” is just that….a declaration.
Did you know that according to studies, two-thirds of people fail at their New Year’s resolution within the first month?! How crazy is that?!
All that to say….setting goals is never a bad thing. But the problem is actually taking action and actually taking the steps toward making that happen. It simply will not work if you don’t.
So, here’s my list of practical, thoughtful, and awesome New Year’s resolutions for moms!
1. Be Kinder (To Yourself and Your Family)
I know I speak for all moms when I say we can be kinder! Whether we are losing our temper (like I am trying hard not to do, as my 3-year-old is constantly getting out of bed as I’m trying to write this!) or just frustrated, there are better ways that we can convey our frustrations. Here are some ways to be kinder this year:
- Take lots of deep breaths
- Pray pray pray
- Think of the mom/wife/friend that you aspire to be
2. Give More
Giving can be something you also strive to do more of in the new year. This can mean so many different things!
- Tithing
- Giving your time
- Donating
Just to name a few!
Everyone’s time is valuable, and sometimes, all we need is to dedicate a little of our time!
3. Be More Active
As a busy mama, it is so unbelievably hard to stay active. If you’re like me and work full-time, have 5 kids, and own 2 businesses….the time to work out is pretty much non-existent. But you know what? It’s only non-existent because I want it to be.
Ouch. I’m burning myself here. But it’s true. I simply HAVE to make time to do it. So, if I need to set aside 15-30 minutes to get some quick movement in, then that is what I need to do. Here are some ways I plan on being active this year:
- Doing small movements in the bathroom (it sounds weird, but you do what you gotta do when you’re working with limited time)
- Picking a set time every single day to work out
- Giving small rewards to myself for being active
It can be done. It’s hard. So hard that even I have yet to master this one…but it’s doable.
4. Meal Plan
One of the things that make my life lots easier is planning my meals out for the week ahead. Once a week, I write down what we’re having for dinner and lunch the upcoming week. Once I write down the list, I check the kitchen to see what we already have that will complete these meals, and then I just go to the store for the rest.
Another great thing to do (that I am SO bad at, but my husband reminds me all the time) is before you write down your list for the next week, physically go into the kitchen and look around. Look what has been sitting around the longest to get it used and out of there and gone.
Plan your meals around that! Meal Planning is definitely a time saver. Meal prepping is something else I haven’t yet mastered, but is also a great time saver!
5. Keeping the House Tidy
How hard is it to keep the house clean with 5 kids constantly running around? SO HARD. However, the earlier that we instill the skill of cleaning up after ourselves, the better the house will look, the better your sanity, and the better overall for your kids.
Here are the general rules for keeping our house tidy:
- Clean up after yourself and put everything back where it belongs
- Dishes done (almost) every night
- Laundry put away as soon as it’s done
- Trash is taken out immediately
- Vacuum main areas daily
- Constantly checking kids areas (playroom, bedroom, bathroom, etc)
But even after all that is said and done, here’s a secret….your home will be a mess again. And you know what? You’ll have to do it all over again. It truly is a rinse-and-repeat action, but over time, it will just become natural to them (and to you, too, if you struggle sometimes as I do), and there will come a time when you won’t have to be so repetitive.
6. Go On More Dates
When my hubby and I first started dating, we went on dates ALL THE TIME. Now, of course, with kids around, that doesn’t seem as important anymore. But it is so incredibly important to take time and focus on your relationship. One of the best ways to do that (especially when you have children) is to leave the house and go on a date.
When you are away from the kids and the chores, then you can have fun, relax, and enjoy each other as adults. Get dressed up and have fun!
You may have to be creative with your time in order to make this happen- if date nights are hard or not in the budget, then consider trying to grab lunch or breakfast together!
7. Make More Time for Yourself
Hey mom! You have to take care of YOU! You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you need to make sure that you are giving yourself the care you need and deserve! Try to find small acts of self-care that will help you feel the best you can. It’s important to make sure that you are making time for yourself! So forget the piles of laundry or the dirty floors- enjoy your cup of tea and your long, hot shower- you deserve it!
8. Find a Hobby You Enjoy
As moms, we sometimes get sucked into the lives of our children and forget to develop our own interests outside of our kids, marriage, and family. It’s important for you to have interests that are your own. If you had a hobby that you enjoyed when you were younger, consider starting it again.
If you don’t, then you can start experimenting with different hobbies that will give you satisfaction outside of motherhood. Don’t forget that you don’t need to be good at a hobby- you just need to enjoy it.
Read More:
- 9 Healthy Lifestyle Tips for a Better Life
- 10 Important Things I Wish I Knew as a Brand New Mom (From a Mom of 5)
