Mom's New Years Resolutions
by Alana Morales
Well, the New Year is upon us and with it brings New Years Resolutions. Yup - it's that time of year where everyone thinks about what they dislike about themselves, how they failed miserably the year before and how they can now take a new lease on life for the upcoming year to right everything that is wrong.
Sarcastic? Yes. Far from the truth? Not much.
For moms, the New Years resolution kick is another reason to feel guilty. In a sick sort of way, it's actually more time efficient to feel guilty at New Years. I figure this is the time to get the guilt out of the way so I can move on with motherhood for the rest of the year.
This year, rather than adding to my own guilt (I don't need any fuel for that fire), I decided to only make 5 resolutions related to motherhood. I also decided to make them something that I actually had a chance of accomplishing. Here they are:
1. Get more "me" time - I think I can get this one locked up if I can figure out a way to go to the bathroom during the day without the kids following me in or yelling through the door.
2. Become more flexible - Does this mean I will begin a stretching routine? No way. I can stretch just as well by trying to negotiate a diaper change with my toddler.
3. Watch less TV - Sheesh, this is an easy one. I don't even watch all those cartoons. It's just background noise anyway.
4. Be a better disciplinarian - This will include not laughing when my kids do something silly while I am scolding them or sending them to time out.
5. Spend more time with my husband - For the record, quality time is not defined by us both falling asleep on the couch during a movie.
6. Join a mom's group - This may be the most difficult one yet. The key is to find one where the moms actually like each other, as opposed to having them smiling politely at each other, then gossiping to their husbands while driving home about how evil the other moms are.
Yes, I know I listed six instead of five. This way, if I miss the mark on one or two, I won't feel as guilty because I still came close, right?