Mom Resolutions for the New Year

New Years carries with it many emotions for most people. Some happy to be starting a new year with a fresh start, some sad to see a a good year go. No matter the situation it’s nice to get some personal, work and family goals together that you can work towards no matter how long they actually last.  The overall theme of my mom resolutions for this year are “anything that will make life happier, easier and not to care if people are judging me for it”.  Here is a list of 7 things I intend to start doing by the end of January. 

1. Put myself first…sometimes. Whether it’s drinking my fresh hot coffee (at least 5 consecutive sips), shutting the bathroom door and locking it to get 3 minutes of privacy, taking an extra hour after work to get a pedicure or forcing the kids to watch a workout video with me for 30 minutes instead of nick jr. These are all things that may result in 5 minutes of screaming but will bring me happiness therefore making me a better mom. They will have to deal.

2. We will be going out to dinner and we will have 3 iPads in tow. I have been against this forever but finally caved and got 3…one for each kid. Over the holidays we actually went to dinner and gave the kids each one at the table. We were “those” parents. And guess what! It was freaking fun! The kids were not maniacs, my husband and I got to actually talk, and we left with such a feeling of accomplishment, full bellies, and happy!

3. Cousin time. Having all the kids cousins (our nieces and nephews) in Texas is awesome. They live in Austin and you would think we could find the time to see them more than 2-3 times a year. However between everyone’s busy schedules it is so hard! I am making an effort to see them more this year. After all family is the most important thing and seeing the kids play and grow up together is so much fun!

4. RSVP NO. With 3 kids it seems every Saturday we have 2 or 3 birthday parties we are invited to. It’s exhausting and we end up having to split up every weekend to divide and conquer. In 2017 we will be more selective as to which parties we attend. If it’s not a close friend or makes our lives any more chaotic, we are simply not going.

5. Spend a little more for pre-made meals that save me a ton of time yet make me look like an amazing cook to my family. I have found a personal cooking service in Dallas that allows me to pick out 3 custom meals a week and pick them every 1-2 weeks. All fresh, organic ingredients. Everything is ready to be put into the oven or crock pot. Not only is the food delicious but my kids eat it, and it looks like I made dinner. Bam! Family meal is guaranteed to happen at least 3 nights a week. 

6. Speak softly and carry the wooden spoon in my purse. Here’s another thing I said I would never do…spank. Well these boys need it every now and then and they definitely need to be threatened with it. I have found having it in my purse just to show them is a great tool. Whether it’s at the grocery store, on a car ride, or trying to get everyone loaded into the car without having one dart into the parking lot. Carrying it with me while in public has made my life easier and that’s all that matters. If it gets real bad I will even use it so if you see me in target and give someone a slight swap don’t judge…or do. I really don’t care.

7. Step up the discipline. I find myself slacking in this department lately. Is it because I have 3 kids so close together and it’s just easier to give in than put up a fight? Maybe. But none the less it needs to stop because I refuse to raise monsters. Whether it’s putting toys in time out because they were not being respected, talking back, not listening, or whatever. I want my kids to know there are consequences and just because I am tired, busy, distracted, or in a public place, l will still follow through with my threats and 1,2, 3’s. 

Do you have any Mom resolutions for the New Year?