Every day for the countdown until Christmas I will be having guest bloggers visit my page and share some tips they have learned along the way in their motherhood journey. Be on the look out for our Guest Bloggers Series!
We are just a few days away from Christmas and from then to the start of a new year. Before we go on can we just stop here for a second and talk about how bizarre it is that we’re going into the year 2018? Isn’t that crazy? I know I’m not that old but I will be turning 30 and I have no idea where the time went. I feel like it was just yesterday I couldn’t wait to be 16 so that I could drive. Here we are 15 + years later! Yikes!
Now back to what I was getting at. A new year is always a good chance for a fresh start. To plan new goals, make positive changes, or just a chance start over. Being a mom is a hard job that never ends. We tend to be very hard on ourselves and always feel like we’re not doing enough. This New Year make these resolutions that will help you sit back and realize that you are enough and you are doing a great job!
- Stop comparing yourself:
This is the first thing you need to do. Stop comparing yourself to other moms. Everyone wants to make it seem like they have it all together. But let’s be real, none of us do! We all struggle somehow. We all have our flaws. All of our kids are different.
Just because another mom at story time had her kid sleeping 10 hours by the time they were 2 months, and yours only sleeps a few hours a night, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. I guarantee you there is something your kid rocks at that hers has a hard time with. We’re all great moms and we’re all trying our best.
- Practice self-care:
This is something I need to work on myself. We all need to take some time for ourselves. It doesn’t matter what it is. Whether it is a long bubble bath with a glass of wine or getting a mani/pedi, or just going for a walk or run by yourself. What matters is that you take some time to enjoy something you like alone. Do something that will recharge your energy so you can go back and be the best version of yourself for your family.
- Be more patient:
This is another one I need to work on a lot myself. Have more patience with your kids. Try not to rush them so much every day. They’re kids, time flies, spend more time enjoying them than rushing them because you’re going to be late. They didn’t eat their dinner, put something quick together they like and call it a night. The world is not going to stop because they didn’t eat their peas one night. This will also help you be less stressed and have an even better bond with your children.
- Spend more time outside:
Step outside at least for a few minutes every day. Enjoy some fresh air. Go sledding, build a snowman. When the weather is nice go for long walks. Take the kids to the playground or have a picnic for lunch in your own backyard. Whatever it is, just go outside and enjoy the sun. Staying cooped up in the house can bring more stress and make you feel lonely. (Take it from me, I’ve been there!) Step outside and change the scenery. It will help you clear your mind whilst you spend some quality time with the kids.
- Find a “guilty pleasure” to enjoy daily:
Just because we’re moms doesn’t mean we’re not allowed to enjoy the small things that make us so happy. Whether it is watching an episode of your favorite show, drinking a cup of coffee while scrolling through social media, or enjoying a piece of candy alone. Find one little thing that makes you happy and do it every day. It’ll give you something to look forward to each day. That one thing that brings you joy and gives you a small break from your hectic life as a mom.
- Drink more water:
We all know drinking water is essential for all humans and all living things. We all know that most of us don’t drink enough of it too! So drink your water. This will ensure that you stay hydrated and energized. Try infusing it with some fresh fruit or fresh herbs or ginger. It’ll make your water more tasty and fun and you will be more likely to drink it. Fill up the biggest Mason jar you can find and fill it up in the morning and drink it throughout the day.
- Watch your kids:
By this I don’t mean to take care of them and be on top of them all day. I mean to literally watch your kids. When they’re playing or eating or even sleeping, watch them. Take a long look at them and just feel the love you have for them. Know that whatever it is that they’re doing they’re able to do it because of you. Because your nurturing and caring ways have thought them how to do every little thing they do and why they’re growing up to be such wonderful kids. Watch them because time flies and they won’t stay this little for much longer.
Let’s aim for a better year with less stress and less worry. Let’s take a step towards focusing on what matters and on making our kids and ourselves happy. You can’t make your kids happy if you’re not happy. Keeping these resolutions in mind are a great start to becoming less hard on yourself and enjoying the little things. I hope you guys have a wonderful and happy New Year’s!
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