Real Resolutions for Parents

Happy New Year!

I love the clean slate that comes with a new year.  Even if it is only figurative, the idea of a whole new year feels like a great way to start over and try again for any mistakes that might have been made or for any habits that you want to change.  This year, my goal is to be a better parent - so all of these resolutions tie in toward making me a better momma.

1.  Make More Money


Yeah, yeah - this one is on everyone's list I'm sure.  But with my fiance being the sole bread-earner of the house, 2013 was a rough year.  I haven't really been able to get back into the work force because of the little ones and only having one vehicle for a family of 5.  With the babies in daycare and my final classes coming to an end this year, I want to be able to get a job, start a career, something.

Until actually going into work is plausible, I will look for ways to make money online - whether from taking surveys online, selling graphics/header designs on fiverr, or utilizing eBay, I vow to bring in a little extra income however I can.

2.  Be More Organized

This is one of those that probably shouldn't be a resolution, but instead be a lifestyle.  I get so scatterbrained trying to keep up with everything with doctor appointments, homework, blogging, and various meetings all stacked a mile high on my plate.  So I invested in a planner.
At-a-Glance Sorbet Weekly/Monthly Planner is the one I recommend - for less than $20, it offers two pages per week, monthly calendars and lots of space to plan and organize your day.  Plus, it's pretty.  I don't mind carrying this one around with me all day long.

3.  Make More "Me" Time

Parenting is hectic, taxing, and stressful.  Sure, there's all the rewarding moments - but at the end of the day I'm still exhausted and left with only the identity of "Momma."  It's important for moms to take a break every once in a while and do something that they enjoy - without kids, or deadlines, or stress.  So I vow to take one "me day" a month and do something just for myself.  It doesn't matter if it's playing a game online, going out to lunch with my sister, baking a cake, or just reading a book, I want to spend at least a few hours a month to take time and refocus.

4.  Have a Little More Patience

Kids are going to be kids.  There's no set way to get them to be calm little zombies all the time short of medicating them, and who would want little mindless drones anyway?  I love watching my kids play and have fun.  But... there's always that stressed-out feeling that comes around after about the 182nd time that your three year old presses the button on the baby's noisy toy that makes your patience wear out a little more than you would like.  Then there's the sibling rivalry, fighting, and tantrums...  I yell, I get aggravated, and there's days that I'm pretty sure I'll tear my hair out if I hear one more scream from my 3 year old.  I want that to change.  I want to be less stressed and be able to focus more on the awesome things my kids are doing.  I ordered a copy of The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook in hopes that by learning various methods of calming myself, I'll learn a little more patience.

So these are my top 4 resolutions - What resolutions did you make for this year?

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