5 New Year’s Resolutions All Moms Should Make

Resolution (res-o-lu-tion) – noun. A firm decision to do or not do something.

It’s that time of year when we all think about what we want to achieve in the next 12 months. Lose weight, decrease debt, exercise more… you know the usual rundown. Only a small percentage of people actually keep their resolutions, so this year, I’m challenging all the moms to take on a goal you actually might be able to stick to. Pick just one, or maybe tackle them all, but these resolutions for moms are sure to make your year a little happier.

My resolution for 2012 was to take a family picture of the four of us every month. It ended up making my favorite Christmas card of all time.

Be in more pictures. I know, I know… you didn’t have time to pull your hair out of its usual messy bun or apply some mascara. But guess what? Your kids don’t care. The time is going to come when your kids will want to see pictures from their childhood, and they’re going to wonder why mom isn’t in any of them. So learn how to embrace the selfie, let your husband or kids take some pictures for a change — or even (gasp!) ask a stranger to take a group photo. Whatever it takes, find a way to actually be in some family pictures this year.

Know when to say yes (and when to say no). For the past few years I’ve made it a point to apply the lyrics of Kenny Rogers to my parenting: “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, Know when to fold ’em, Know when to walk away, And know when to run.” If you haven’t perfected the art of picking your battles, then this is your year to tackle the most epic of mom challenges. Learn to say yes to more date nights, and learn how to let go and say no to all the other crap that you really don’t care about. Let this year be filled with more playing outside in the rain, and less of those Pinterest crafts you keep saving to your “rainy day activities” board.

Hooray! Leggings for everyone!

Wear leggings more often. Pants are for suckers. There, I said it. Get yourself a pair (0r five) of some stretchy goodness and wear them with pride. Leggings don’t judge you for eating an extra taco, and they never tell you “maybe you should skip that cupcake.” Leggings love you at your highest and lowest on the scale, and they can be dressed up and dressed down to fit almost any occasion. The best part? You don’t have to spend a fortune on those fancy LuLaRoe leggings that acquaintances keep pushing on you (though they are comfy and oh-so stylish). Simply pick up a budget-friendly pair at Target and start relishing that stretchy elastic waistband.

Lower your expectations (and then lower them again). As a self-confessed Type-A mom, it has taken me years to come to the realization that there are times when things are just not going to turn out the way I planned. That magical trip to Disney? Yeah, it’s probably going to be hot and crowded, and your kid is just going to want to hang out in the gift shop instead of riding anything. Rid your mind of the notion that everything is going to go perfectly as planned, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised when it doesn’t totally suck. I apply this philosophy to vacations and family travel, but it can also be a great coping mechanism for dealing with eating out, trips to the grocery store and dinner at the in-law’s house.

Cut yourself some slack. This mom gig is hard, even on a good day. Moms are notorious for comparing ourselves to others on social media and at the checkout line at the grocery store; everywhere you turn there’s another chance to be critical of yourself. It’s time to cut yourself some slack and know that if you’re doing the best you can, then you’re doing a good job. So slip on your favorite leggings and let the kids eat cereal for dinner while camped out in the living room every once in a while. It might not be exactly what you had pictured, but it just might be exactly what you need. Just don’t forget to snap a picture of everyone enjoying the fun!

Shannon Beckham
Shannon is a former Special Education Teacher turned SAHM to two great kids, Cole and Kiley. Originally from Miami, Shannon met her husband while they were both attending the University of Florida (Go Gators). They decided to put down roots in Jacksonville Beach, and are very much enjoying the laid back salt life.

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