11 New Year’s Resolutions For Moms

It’s that time of year again. A time for a new beginning and for us to think about our New Year’s resolutions for moms.

As a Mom I believe that New Year’s resolutions should be genuinely helpful to you and your family. That they should help you be a better Mom and make a big difference to not only your daily lives but your children too.

I don’t know about you, but as I work full time I don’t have time for much. I often feel weighed down by a mountain of guilt and stress.

Yet somehow, I always come up with a New Year’s resolution that’s totally unachievable. Not to mention, I’m never in a million squillion years going to find time to do it.

That’s why this year I’m going to focus on one small thing that will make a big difference to me and help me be a better Mom.

With all this in mind, I’ve come up with 10 New Year’s resolutions for moms that help you be a better mom.

They are self care related and good for your mind and soul 🙂

FYI you’re only meant to pick one and focus on that, not all ten options! (note to self)

Pick 1 Of These New Years Resolutions For Moms

1. Stop Comparing Yourself To Other Moms

This does you no good at all. It makes you feel worse about yourself and your abilities as a mother. In fact, I would argue it’s detrimental to your child. Comparing yourself to other moms is not only an exercise in futility and self-loathing, but there really isn’t a “winner” here. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses as a mother — what works for one might not work at all for the next, so you can’t possibly win by comparing yourself to another mom.

This is especially true if you’re always trying to keep up with the Joneses or anyone else. Now, don’t get me wrong — I’m not saying it’s bad to seek out inspiration and be motivated from others’ successes. But when that motivation morphs into a constant comparison of who’s doing better, who’s got it all together and whose children are more well-behaved, you’ve lost any benefit of comparison. This is no longer a healthy exercise; it’s an unnecessary source of stress in your life that serves absolutely no purpose other than to make you feel bad about yourself — which isn’t good for anyone.

2. Make Time For Your Own Self Care

This is so important. As Mums we spend so much time focusing on our kids that we often neglect ourselves. Then when we have time for ourselves, we feel guilty!

Taking care of your needs is vital so that you can be a better mom. A well rested Mom is a happy Mom. And a happy Mom is a great Mom.

Some great self care ideas are :

• Taking a soak in the bath with a glass of wine. Maybe even doing this as a weekly date that you block out on your calendar.
• Turn off your phone and computer for an hour or two to enjoy some “me” time while watching TV shows you might otherwise miss or catching up on movies

Make sure during your self care you take care of your mental health too. You could do this with activities such as reading, adult colouring or meditating.

3. Start A Gratitude Journal

It’s easy to get lost in the negative thoughts and think you’re doing a poor job.

That’s why keeping a Gratitude Journal can help you massively, as it helps you keep focus on the good in your daily life.

Just write down 5 things you are grateful for each day, in a notebook or on your phone. You could also do this with your child so they start to grow up seeing life in a positive light.

4. Stop With The Mom Guilt

Give yourself a break, you’re doing a good job as Mom. It’s easy to feel guilty about everything, such as the time you spend with your children, how you raise them, if you should do better.

All this worry is not good for you at all – we all do the best we can and the negative thoughts will just bring you down.

Give up the Mom guilt and focus on the here and now.

5. Let Others Help You

As Moms, we feel like we should be superwoman and be able to do everything for everybody all the time.

However, we often end up burnt out, stressed to the max, and ready for a major mental overload.

If someone offers to help you with something, say yes, please! Letting someone help does not mean you’re doing a terrible job as a Mom.

6. Learn To Ask For Help

We all need help at some point in our lives. Moms are no exception to the rule.

Learning to ask for help will make an enormous difference to your well-being.

It can be anything from help with chores or a break from the kids so you can have a bath and get some self care.

Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

7. Learn To Say No

Learning to say no is just as important as asking for help.

You already have a lot on with school drop offs, pick-ups, after-school clubs, school plays, your job, the house, maybe a pet, maybe more than one child!

No-one can do it all – sometimes you just have to say “No I’m sorry I can’t do that or make it there” I’m already too busy.

You can’t be everywhere at once. Plus, you need a break too.

8. Keep A Family Planner

A vital part of any Mum’s success – the family planner! It’s difficult to remember who has got what on and when. Keeping it all together in one place is a sure-fire way that you won’t forget anything.

Then if anything new does crop up, you can check the planner to make sure you’re actually free and don’t double book yourself (again!)

9. Put Your Phone Away

When spending time with your children, try to put your phone away a bit more.

It will help you focus more on them and you won’t miss out on stuff by having your head stuck in your phone.

Also, it gives you a chance to take some breaks from social media, which is great as sometimes it can enhance your Mom guilt and comparing of yourself to other moms.

10. Spend Extra Time With The Children

As much as your kids drive you round the bend, you also love them to bits.

Spending some quality time together each week, even just an hour or so, will benefit you both.

It’s funny how even when you’ve had the worst day ever and have proper had enough of the world and everyone in it how a big hug from your little one just makes all the stress disappear.

You might want to take a week or two off work to spend quality time with your children. You could head abroad somewhere, children love going on planes and adventures with their loves ones. If you don’t have the budget to go abroad then you could head to London. If you are staying in a hotel while you are there then you might want to utilise a luggage storage solution if your hotel room isn’t ready. Take a look at luggage storage in London to see what is available and located near your accommodation. 

11. Have A Family Meal Once A Week

Just like a normal date night, this can help your family reconnect and make you feel more like a team. This can be as simple as ordering take out or making food from scratch – whatever works for your life. As long as everyone is together, the important thing is to let them know they’re loved and appreciated by their family.

Conclusion

So there you have it, my list of new year resolutions that help you be a better mom.

Pick one of the above resolutions that will help you be a better mum this year or pick your own and comment below with your choice!

Remember, it’s important to look after yourself, too.