On Goals and Grace

Being a mom of almost 4 kids under 7, my New Year’s Resolutions the past few years looked like this:

• Loose the baby weight
• Keep toys organized
• Clean 30-60 minutes everyday
• Make weekly meal plans
• Get ready at least a little everyday, etc..

Look familiar?

While these resolutions are wonderful, they required a lot of changes all at once. I’d miss one day of cleaning and all of sudden that 30 minutes would turn into 2 hours JUST in my kid’s room. I would be too tired in the mornings to even wash my face because I really needed that “me time” before I went to sleep the night before and ended up bing watching The Office again. I would easily feel overwhelmed and just go back to my old routines.

This year, however, I decided to have 1 big resolution and create little milestones to get there. I stopped to think what was really the most important thing to me. What was worth uprooting my habits for? What deserved my energy?

Family.

So my one resolution became giving ME to my family. Not a mom who was in shape, a wife who always had her make up done, a home that insta worthy 24/7, but a mom who cuddled at every opportunity, a wife that looked her husband in the eye when he talked about his passions, a woman who loved herself and gave quality time to her family.

How I go about putting effort into it? I plan mommy/daughter dates. I read that extra story to my baby boy. I put my phone done when my son says hugs and just be in the moment with his big head on my chest. I share my day with my husband and ask him what his plans are. I remind myself that this time where I’m needed as much as I am is what I’ll be missing sooner than I think. Someday I’ll be able to nap when I want, paint when I want, scroll facebook when I want but all I’ll want is to snuggle my baby, brush my daughter’s hair or hear another outlandish story that goes on for 20 minutes.

Giving my time to my kids and my husband is the best way I could see us reaching our other goals. By having open communication, putting my husband first, and walking hand in hand, we’ll be able to meet our little goals and expectations to building a stable and happy life for our kids. And when I forget my patience and priorities, I’ll give myself grace. I’ll move forward and try again. So here’s to 2020, and stepping into the New Year with time on my mind.