New and Improved Mom: 8 Resolutions for the New Year

New year, new beginning. You aim to lessen your stress this year and ponder on how you can do it.  Here are some suggestions to get that list going: 

Be more patient.  
It takes all of a mom’s guts to admit that there were moments when she wanted to scream her lungs out of frustration. It requires a lot of effort to remain calm when your baby is into a crying fit or your toddler is having tantrums while at the mall. But when you’re patient, you have the ability to think clearly and handle the situation better. Your child will also sense the calmness you exude. Take deep breaths and slowly count to ten. Remember, this, too, shall pass.  

Pick your battles.  
Messy toys on the floor? Smile and get your child to sing with you the 'Clean Up' song while teaching him to gather the toys and putting them in the basket. Children throwing toys at one another? Get a grip on the situation by separating them quietly but firmly, talking to each of them about the perils of their actions. A tiff with your gradeschooler about her outfit to school? As long as she’s warmly dressed, let her wear what she wants, even if it’s an orange shirt and purple pants. Learning the ability to distinguish which battles are worth pursuing is key to a less stressful year. Learn to apply Suzy Welch’s 10-10-10 guide: “What will be the consequences in 10 minutes, in 10 months, in 10 years?”  

Focus on the blessings.  
When things get overwhelming, remember that you are blessed. There is an ancient Persian saying that keeps me in check whenever I feel down: “I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet.” As the writer Robert Fulghum reminds us, we need to learn to distinguish the difference between a real problem and a mere inconvenience. When work is stressful, be thankful for the opportunity to work and be productive. When the kids are driving you crazy, be thankful that you have children you love and who love you back. When there isn’t much money to buy wants, be thankful that you have a bed to sleep in and food on the table. Be more thankful this year and learn to focus on the blessings.  

Get organized.  
Organization expert Peter Walsh says, “Clutter robs us spiritually because we can’t be at peace in a cluttered home.” How much time have you wasted looking for your keys during the morning rush to school and work? How much overdue fees did you have to pay because you’ve misplaced your bills and forgotten their due dates? Enroll your bills in an automatic payment system. Commit to taking fifteen minutes a day to ensure everything is in its rightful place. Aim to spend a few hours a month to go through items that can be donated to a worthy cause. Resolve to buy things that you only need. Have the urge to purge.  

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Attain a healthy lifestyle.  
This is one of the most difficult resolutions to fulfill for most people. Most excuses range from not having time to lack of knowledge regarding proper nutrition. But being healthy is very important - it gives you the energy to do everything you need to do and increase your chances of living longer and being there for your loved ones. Get started with small goals such as losing a pound a month. Instead of bonding with friends over dinner, have a great chat while walking around the park. Choose to have one cookie instead of two. Little changes are better than none. It’s more effective to take one step at a time towards a healthy lifestyle with simple changes, than getting overwhelmed with daunting diets and exorbitant gym fees and not starting at all.  

Prioritize family.  
Time for the family is sacrificed because of many factors – the long hours spent at work, the horrible traffic getting home, the need to rest due to a very tiring day. But strive to set aside more time with your loved ones this year. You may need to be creative in connecting with them, whether it’s a text to your hubby in the middle of the day or a fun note tucked in your child’s lunch box. Do something special with your family on weekends - watch a movie, play board games or bond over a cup of hot chocolate at a nearby café. Going on a business trip?  Record yourself reading a couple of bedtime stories for yaya to play to your kids at night. There are many ways to connect with your family, you just need to make sure they are made a priority. Having said that, don’t forget to prioritize yourself and set aside your own pampering time.  

Put aside savings for a rainy day.
If you haven’t built up a savings fund, now is the time to start. It’s always stressful to scramble for money when an emergency happens and embarrassing to resort to asking for a loan. Start a savings jar today where everyone in the family can drop loose change and extra cash. Commit to setting aside a portion of your salary every month and investing the money. You’ll realize that no matter what your situation is, you have the ability to save. Buying with cash instead of credit cards, being happy with a cheaper cellphone, choosing only to have your favorite latte once a week instead of every day, forgoing the purchase of a designer bag and settling for a good-enough tote from your local store are little ways to help increase your savings this year.  

Pray more.   
Praying strengthens one’s soul - it gives you the power over things you don’t have any control over, it brings hope that all things will turn out right at the end because there is a God who cares. Pray for guidance for the day, pray for people who’ve hurt you, pray for protection for your loves ones, pray before making decisions, pray when you feel angry and pray for other people just because. At the end, praying will change you and your perspective in life.  

Resolutions are merely reminders of how we have the power to improve our lives and make it not only a happy but also a truly fulfilling one. A busy mom with less stress? Yes, it’s possible! Just keep your cool and remain focused on achieving your goals. Happy New Year!  
 
Photo from flickr creative commons