I love the idea of a new year, a fresh start. Everyone could use a boost, a positive push in the right direction, a brief resetting of ideas, dreams, goals, wants and needs. While I have started purging things in the house, cleaning out the kids playroom after Christmas left us with a small toy store in our house, I am also trying to refocus my priorities. My number one priority is always the same, be the best mother I can possibly be. After the craziness of the holidays I am ready to settle down with the kids and get back on track.
My Mothering Goals for the New Year
1- Listen intently- When my 6 year old rambles (and rambles and rambles and forgets his point so he rambles even more) I need to focus more on what he is telling me. Even if I have little to no interest in Pokemon and Power Rangers, he does and so I need to make it more of a priority to listen.
2- Say Yes More- I noticed over break that while I was cleaning the house, a never-ending mission, my 4 year old asked me to read her Pinkabella. I told her my typical response, “In a few minutes” then I went off into my room to try and figure out where to put 5 loads of clean laundry that I had no room for. It then hit me. I basically said NO to reading a story when I said in a few minutes. I knew that she would then go on to play something else and forget about the story and I would be able to get things done in the house. I felt horrible, I do this too much!! I walked into her room, grabbed Pinkabella and 3 other books and cuddled into her bed and we read stories!! The laundry has waited so long, it can wait another 30 minutes.
3- Bake More- It’s not so much that I want to become Betty Crocker but I know how much both my kids love to pull in a chair, stand on it at the counter and crack eggs with my help. There is something about creating snacks and food together that seems calming and is a positive way to spend time together.
4-Yell Less- I am trying, I am trying, I AM TRYING!!!!!!
5- Disagree with my husband less- NO LADIES…I am NOT giving up on my opinions and becoming a kept woman BUT I am going to try and keep what is between me and my husband, between ME and MY HUSBAND and NOT our kids!! I will bite my tongue and learn better to show my annoyed face in private! God Grant me the Serenity…..
6- Keep their rooms neater- I try, I try so hard but I work full time, I am tired and they don’t help!! That ends now!! I am going to reinforce their chore charts, teach them more about fulfilling their family responsibilities and earning things instead of just getting them.
7- Continue to love them- I will continue to love them with all my heart. I will continue to tell them how important they are to me, that I love their stories (even if they ramble) their giggles and their little faces!!
8- BE HAPPY- I know that if I am not happy it trickles down to them. I don’t want to stress my children, I want them to be happy and enjoy every moment of their childhood. I need to work on showing them how happy I am
9- Live in the moment- I need to be more present when I am with the kids. Sometimes we all get caught up in our work, life and the powers of Facebook sucking you in! I want to live more in the moment with my kids, laugh with them as much as I can. Life is precious, I need to remember that
Do you have parenting goals for 2015?
I am right there with you on the yelling front! : ) I hope you have a beautiful new year, Sarah.
Great goals! Mine is to praise more and correct less.
YES Cindy!!! I agree with that too!
One of my goals is to get my kids more involved OUTSIDE of school in fun activities. It’s something I had to table for a while. They are finally both old enough for special olympics swimming, so we are giving that a go every week!
That is great Gina!!! We do a bunch with Derek but Hayley is younger. Get ready to turn into a chauffeur!! 😉
Yelling less and saying “In a few minutes” less are at the top of my list! My son also keeps asking why I’m correcting him all the time – I need to find a new approach with him before he just tunes me out!
As they get a little older, all of that becomes a little easier. I promise!
I really love this list, Sarah. I need to say yes more and bake more. And live in the moment… that is my goal this year.
me too Jo-Lynne. It’s so easy to get caught up in everything else which is all just gravy compared to our children!