At thirty-something, I have around 20 years of New Year's resolutions behind me. That would be valuable experience if all of them hadn't failed. Some were just doomed from the start, others made it through, but none lasted past the first quarter of the year. A smarter person would just stop making them. But I've never been one to give up. They say practice makes perfect, so this time I am nailing it. I am sticking to the basics and here are the five points I'll master in 2014.
1. I will take it easy. Meaning all the household chores can wait; there are truly not pressing matters. The year 2014 is all about me and sleep. After having to spend around five years not getting enough of it, I am now ready to make up for lost time. So, I'll use any and all excuses I can think of to get more zz's.
2. I will not obsess over my kids. I believe I already did enough of it. Therefore, I am also renouncing the terms "helicopter parenting," "tiger/dragon mom" and all the other titles someone made up. I am going to be just "Mom." I will play with them, make up games, read them stories and take them places, but at the end of the day, I'll let them spend a bit of time alone, make some of their own choices and let them be kids. All is not about learning and being better; sometimes, playtime can be just that -- play. To top it all of, I'll do it without feeling guilty or afraid that I am neglecting them.
3. I will spend more time with my hubs. Since having two kids, there are times I have trouble remembering who the man standing next to me in the wedding photo is. I will thus do my very best to be with hubs and not discuss our kids. We should really have other things to talk about, too. We'll have grandma take the girls and give us some alone time. In the meantime, we'll use every opportunity we have to steal a few moments for each other.
4. I will not stop eating chocolate. If I do, then it's because I've switched to cookies. I don't know how much time I've got, but I am enjoying it and well, in our household, everyone wants a happy Mommy. Chocolate does it, and so does coffee and a glass of wine, especially after I've had a stressful day at work and have to come home to a mess. I am not giving up any of it.
5. I will not work out. I won't do pilates, yoga, aerobics or any type of exercise where someone is telling me what to do, how I can do it and how many times. After work and an afternoon with two tots, I will not conclude my day by stressing out about not being able to do 50 push ups. Instead, I'll walk, chase my kids on the playground and maybe cycle to work. I'll do it my way if I ever feel so inclined. I can tell you right now, I probably won't.
So, there it is. That's what I'll be working on next year. What about you?