Before I get to the resolutions, I must toast to my other mom friends and congratulate everyone for making it another year as moms. Being a mom is by far the most challenging and rewarding thing we do and I know so many moms that have wanted to pull their hair out at times, or scream at their child, but I'm hoping that you showed restraint... most of the time. The fact is you made it through 2016 and it can only get better from here. So cheers to each and every one of you! Your friendship in this life journey means the world to me. With that said, there is always room for improvement right? So on with my resolutions for 2017!
1. Get more sleep
As I'm writing this I had a night where each kid alternated waking me up every hour from midnight to 5 a.m. followed by the alarm at 6:30. I think getting more sleep is something we all want and something we feel like we can't achieve. But, I have to make it a resolution and say it out loud so that there is a chance it might actually happen.
Dear children that constantly disrupt my sleep,
I cannot complete this 2017 resolution without your help. It would be great if you both started sleeping through the night and in your own bed. You aren't hungry, I promise. You also don't need to join me in my bed, you have one of your own that we got special just for you. I promise that if you can do this I will be a much more pleasant mom to you. It truly is in your best interest.
Best, Your loving mother
2. Ask for help
I have this crazy belief that I can do everything. I mean, don't we all? Or maybe it's just me. I can work to provide for my family financially. I can come home and care for my children, bathe them, feed them, and play with them. Once they're in bed I can crack open my laptop and answer emails that I didn't have time for at work while simultaneously spending time with my husband in the form of watching a TV show. A show that I know I won't get through because I'm just too tired (see resolution number 1).
Why do I think I can do this all alone? Why do I think I should be able to do this all alone? The reality is that I can't and I need to know when to ask for help. I am fortunate to have an incredibly supportive husband, family, and friends all around me that would do anything for me. Often, I just have to ask.
Asking for help feels like weakness, but that couldn't be further from the truth. That's why this is my resolution this year. Because it takes a village, and I need to be able to lean on that village. If my fellow mom was struggling and asked for help I would jump at the opportunity to help, if asked. I don't need to pretend to be supermom. We are all super moms in our own ways, but we're not in this alone and asking for help is not kryptonite.
3. Be present
Yes, admittedly there are times when I'd rather be scrolling through Facebook or Instagram or playing a game on my phone than playing with my kids. I try not to do this, but sometimes I'm terrible at it. I have preached before about being present in the moment because if you blink you'll miss it. This is a reminder for me to enjoy the moment because "lasts" don't come with a warning label. I don't want to think back on my time with my kids and feel like I missed out because my phone was more interesting than them.
4. Be silly, laugh more, play more games
As you grow up and mature you have to be serious to be taken seriously. I've found this to be true as I've chased my career for the past ten years. My kids remind me that sometimes you have to be silly. I want to play more games with them this year. I want to laugh more with them. After all, they won't remember how clean my kitchen is at the end of each night, or how many emails I answered during each work day. But they will remember if I was fun to be around. They will remember if I played with them or got sucked into my phone or work. They only get one chance to be little, to be kids and I want to enjoy their games, read them books, and laugh with them as much as I can.
5. Take time for me
Although I work outside the home, and my job is very fulfilling, I wouldn't say that is gives me the energy be a good mom. I have this resolution on here because I need to be reminded that if I take some time for me every once in awhile that I will be a better mom to my kids and wife to my husband. I want to have more energy to be present and laugh with them. In order to do this I have to remember to take care of me too. This means giving myself permission to get a massage every few months, to go for a run a few times a week, to have a date night or two without the kids and without the guilt. These things will re-energize me, but I need a reminder that it's okay to do these things.
Here's to 2017! May you enjoy your kids even more this year than the last, may you squeeze every bit of laughter and fun out of 2017, and may you love even harder this year than the last. Cheers!
if you have momolutions to share I'd love to hear them!