3 Parenting New Year's Resolutions

Yesterday was one of those really frustrating mom days. Every day, I’m learning new ways to help and deal with my spirited child, but yesterday, none of those things were working, and I was counting down the seconds until nap time. I felt guilty for being so frustrated. It’s not her fault, right? She’s two, right? Things will get better, right?

It got me thinking about parenting new year’s resolutions, because it’s one of the areas in which I can improve, and there’s also so much informtation out there, I’m bound to find some strategies that work and stick. Sometimes I’m killin’ it in the parenting department, but most of the time, I’m just trying to survive and make it through the day without my body or my house covered in paint and food.

Typically, I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. It’s not because I don’t think it’s great to resolve to improve, but because every day is a good day to do that. Sometimes it takes more than a change in calendar year to make a change, and I find that throughout the year, I make a lot of little changes which amount to bigger changes. That works for me. With the nature of life these days being so stressful and uncontrolable, sometimes all we can do is get out of bed in the morning and brush our teeth. Who has time for extra stuff? And don’t New Year’s resolutions seem… overly ambitious at times? Going from 0 days at the gym to 6 is probably not sustainable. Resolving to constantly keep a clean house, that’s not really realistic for me, considering we have a newborn on the way and a 2 year old at home. It would be nice, though. Maybe next year.

So here are some of the things I think I actually can improve upon as a mom in 2016.

Parenting New Year’s Resolutions for 2016:

1. Be more patient. This is pretty much my number one goal. Because as the mom of a child who doesn’t sit still for more than 12 seconds (and when she does, I freeze like a statue, lest she get spooked and realize she’s not moving), I get frustrated with her antics. Not only does she not stay still EVER, but she doesn’t let me help her with anything, so everything we do takes about 10 times as long as it could if I just helped her. I know that’s not how I should think. I should be thrilled that she’s so independent, and I am. But sometimes mama’s got places to be, you know? In any case, I really need to work on being in the moment and giving her the time and space to learn, be who she is, and experiment with how to do things. In the long run, I know this is a gift to us both.

2. Read more parenting books. I really love to read, and it’s always the last thing I do at the end of the day. I have a list a mile long of parenting books I need/want to read, but somehow I always manage to pick up something like Girl on a Train. Way more fun, right? My friend Candace picked up a copy of The Opposite of Spoiled for me and my friend Megan told me about a book called Raising Your Spirited Child, and those are the first two I plan to tackle once I’m done with my current read.

3. Do more things as a family and with other families. Life gets busy, and sometimes I forget to be an active plan-maker. The free time we have will creep up on me, and then it’s really too late to make plans or do fun things either as a family or with other families, and I’m always left wishing I’d had the foresight to schedule a cool activity or plan something fun for us to do. No one likes to sit around the house saying, “Now what should we do?” I resolve to make more of an effort to make our time together count even more than it already does.

What are your parenting new year’s resolutions? Share them so I can add them to my list!

30 thoughts on “3 Parenting New Year’s Resolutions”

I am from Boston, so no one around here has patience. It’s just not the way we’re wired around here, but I try. I fail, but I try 🙂

Esther says:

January 5, 2016 at 6:23 am

So funny… I went to Boston University, so I remember the no-patience! 😂 It’s a daily struggle for me for sure, hopefully I can improve this year!

I think that patience is an ongoing goal for most of us, so you are not alone! It’s difficult to move at the same speed as someone who has 2 worries in all the world and they center around daily choice of favorite color and smell.

I am really work on my patience sometimes I’m really bad in that department these are amazing tips and goals thanks !!!

These are great resolutions for parents. I totally want to read some more parenting books in the new year. Oh and I’d also like to spend more quality time together as a family!

There are things that I have a lot of patience with and things that I don’t. Overall my son is a pretty laid back kid, so he makes its easy. We potty trained over the winter break and he did really well, but I am finding that it involved more memory on my part than I am used to (does the grocery store have a bathroom we can get? Did i take him before the hike?) Great post and great resolutions, good luck!

I’m reading The Happiest Toddler on the Block right now. Now that toddlerhood is upon us, I need to read more.

I love #3!! You’re building memories and teaching your kids that family is important! 🙂

Yep! These are all on my list too! Everyone tells you how hard parenting is, but no one tells you about the mind games! I am amazed every day at how sneaky and manipulating my 16 month old can be. I definitely need to start reading more parenting advice from professionals.

I think my parenting resolution this new year is (1) picking my battles, (2) patience, and (3) more quality time with family!

Being patient is at the top of my list too girly! Also, hanging out with other families too!!! Love it! Happy New Year!

Family time and reading are huge in our house. When my daughter was little we would do bath time and then cuddle up to read a book every night. Those are some of my favorite memories.

I too need to learn patience. I’ve had it good for the past 7 months until my lil one decided to turn 8 months and get a personality. I didn’t think fit throwing started this young. Lol boy do I have a lot to learn.

Patience is something that I struggle with as well!! My step-son is 6, we only have him part-time and the rules are very different at his mama’s house so I have had to find my patience 🙂 It is a work in progress but we are getting there 🙂

I’m not a parent (unless you count my puppy) but being more patient is a great resolution for everyone. Being more patient is definitely something I’m working on this year <3

There are just so many things about parenting. You can’t learn all of them overnight, but over time.

Being patient is certainly one of parenting goals. I’m better with the youngest than the oldest. But I need to do better.

These are all great goals! My parenting goals for this year are really close to the same…I will have a kindergarten student this time next year. time flies!

I want to start doing more things as a family (other than watch movies once in a while). It’s cold out and I hate it but when it’s nice out for sure. Would be even better to meet other families and do things together!

These are all resolutions I can totally hop on board with! Awesome post!

I think every parent should be patient especially with their kids still learning. It helps a lot to read parenting books and do things as a family.

It really helps to have other families to socialize with so the kids can hang out with people their age. Some of my funnest times as a kid was at picnics, etc, where the kids got to ditch the parents and play together.

those are all good… the two’s weren’t nearly as bad as the three’s for us!

mine is to hug them more. the baby i probably don’t need to but the 5yo could probably use some more!

First she is adorable and second these are great parenting New Years resolutions. Remember the trouble twos because it is a true statement in my opinion and the being more patient is truly need at this age. 😛

Aw I love this. :3
Spending time as a family is super important, even better if you can also incorporate other families with similarly aged kids into your activities. 🙂

Christie’s Take on Life. x

I actually don’t have any parenting new years resolutions. I think I’m exactly where I want to be, doing what I am doing and being who I want to be as a parent. I’m sure there is lots of room for improvements but for now I’m happy with where I’m at!

I love that you focused your resolutions. Any parent can always grow and learn. I feel like our own children are the best teachers for us, right?! I learn from my daughter every day. Its beautiful.