My Five Mommy Resolutions
I've been making and breaking resolutions for myself for many years but for the first time I've decided to make a separate set of mommy resolutions which would be specific resolutions involving my son. Even though resolutions in general may seem a bit cliched, I still think they are a good idea because resolutions are just a form of goal setting and people who set definitive goals are more likely to achieve them than people who don't. Furthermore, I just think it's a good idea to take some time as a mommy to re-evaluate some of aspects of my parenting so for 2014 I plan to:
1.Video call the relatives more often
We spent this past Christmas at home in California but my relatives on the East Coast were able to watch my son open his presents through the magic of technology. Our busy and sometimes conflicting schedules prevent us from visiting as often as I would like so in 2014 I plan to use Skype, FaceTime, or Tango to let my family see my son grow up before their eyes -- albeit thousands of miles away. Of course, I will try to visit as often as possible but in between visits, video conferencing seems to be a convenient stopgap.
2. Resist the urge to over-schedule
Although we are a home-schooling family, our schedule can get a bit hectic because it's too tempting to sign up for numerous classes, play dates, and activities so before you know it there's not much time for smelling the roses. I am going to try stick to a one sport and one music at a time and set aside just one day for play dates per week. This is one resolution that I absolutely must stick to for my sanity sake.
3. Let him see me struggle, practice, practice
No one is perfect... that's why pencils have erasers. ~Author Unknown
My boy has inherited my perfectionism and it worries me because being a perfectionist makes you hard on yourself and hesitant to try things you don't think you'll ace the first time. This is one trait I wish he hadn't gotten. Because I believe in leading by example, I plan to put myself in situations where my son will see me have to struggle at first, practice, practice, and practice some more. I haven't decided what I am going to do yet but it can be anything from finally learning to play an instrument, Spanish lessons, or learning to roller-skate. Whatever it is, I hope in 2014 that my son will learn through my struggles the lesson of trying and trying again.
4. Let him make his case
I have a tendency to cut my boy off when he is stating his case when feel I know where he is going with his argument. He tends to have some logical and long-winding argument for whatever he feels he just has to do such as re-creating science experiments in the bathroom sink. I would often stop him mid-stream but I have decided to stop because it's not respectful. Also, from a Love and Logic standpoint I feel it prevents me from truly feeling empathetic because I don't allow myself to hear his point of view even if I think it's wrong. In this new year, I refuse to let my exasperation stifle the lines of communication between us.
5. Leave it alone if it ain't broke
I think this final resolution will be the hardest. I'm always looking for a newer and better way of parenting and I just need to leave well enough alone when a particular technique works for my family. I have a pretty happy kid so I am resolving to not change the things that led to him being this way.I hope you will make a list of mommy resolutions as well and we can revisit them together mid-year to see how it's going. I would love to hear some of yours so please feel free to share in the comments
Yardyspice