10 New Year Resolutions Every Mom Should Make

Happy New Year to all the moms out there! Have you made your New Year resolutions yet? If not, take a minute and reflect on the past year. Are there areas in your life you would like to change or make better for this upcoming year? With being a mom, there always tends to be an area you feel could be improved. I suggest making these changes as part of your New Year resolutions.

After reflecting on my past year as a stay at home mom, there are several areas that I feel needs improvement. To make sure I follow through on my resolutions, I wanted to share them with you in this hub. So here they are - my 10 New Year resolutions that I hope will make me a happier and healthier mom in 2012!

1.) Have a more positive attitude.

This New Year resolution is a big one for me. I want to be more positive in my everyday life. I am one of those moms that always expects the worst to happen. I am not sure why I am like this but I want to refocus my thinking to the glass is half full instead of half empty. If mom is more positive, then the kids will be more positive - at least that is what I hope to accomplish with this resolution!

2.) Be more organized.

Some might laugh at this one because I am an organized person. I make myself all kinds of lists on a daily basis but I want my house to be more organized. I really want to clean out all the clutter. Get rid of things that we don't need anymore. Put things where I can remember where they are. I am a mom - it is my job to know exactly where everything is!

3.) Start exercising.

No I don't want to lose weight, but I would like to get in better shape. I now have two little boys who are almost half my weight so it is becoming a workout just to pick them up and carry around. My mood and energy always seems to drag in the winter months, so I think an exercise routine would really help me to keep up with my two wild and crazy boys and all my other daily activities.

4.) Eat more healthy foods.

Along with exercising, I would also like to eat more healthy foods this new year. I am guilty of being so busy that I will eat the easiest and usually most unhealthy item in the cabinet or just skip a meal altogether. I would like to slow down and make sure that I eat lunch or at least a healthy snack to keep my energy going during the day. I also plan on finding more healthy recipes to make for our family dinners.

5.) Stop procrastinating.

Even though I am usually a very organized person, there are those times where I just don't feel like preparing my son's lunchbox, the backpacks, or the extra bag full of clothes. Of course, this usually ends in disaster because something always comes up that morning causing our family to be 5-10 minutes late to everything. I really want to go ahead and have everything laid out and ready the night before to ensure that we will be on time to our destination.

6.) Stop spreading yourself too thin.

All moms listen up - you can say no! I repeat you can say no! If you are already busy with a million other things to do this week, it is okay to turn down anyone who asks you for help. See if you can reschedule to a less busy week or offer your help at the next function. I know from experience that it is hard to turn someone down, but in order to save my sanity as a mom - I will not be afraid to say no this year!

7.) Communicate your needs more effectively.

A lot of moms - myself included - have some serious issues with this New Year resolution. I am so guilty of expecting my husband to read my mind. If you need your husband's help, tell him exactly what you need. If you are about to lose your mind and need a night out, tell him. The rare and extremely sensitive husband may be able to pick up on your mood and subliminal messages, but for most of you moms out there - you must communicate your needs to get them met.

8.) Spend more one on one time with your kids.

This new year I want to take a little time each day to spend with each of my boys. As moms, we get so wrapped up in all the things we have to accomplish each day that we don't stop to take the time to just play and have fun with our kids. Even if it's just 30 minutes a day, stop what you are doing and give your kids your undivided attention.

9.) Stop trying to be perfect.

Yes, every mom would love to be known as Supermom - I know I would! But as we all know, a perfect mom does not exist. You are going to have bad days and that is okay. Stop stressing over the little things and let go of this idea of the perfect mom. Believe me - this is one New Year resolution I will have to work on daily!

10.) Take time for yourself.

By far, I think this is the most important New Year resolution for myself and every other mom out there. Stop and take a break. Get out there without the kids and do something that you enjoy. Go shopping, get your hair done, find a new hobby - anything that you can think of to get that much needed break. Taking time for yourself helps moms to recharge and get back to a more relaxed state of mind.

By posting my New Year resolutions, I hope they inspire all moms to be happier and healthier this year. Feel free to use any of my resolutions or come up with a few of your own. Whatever you want to change or improve this year, be sure to write them down and follow through with a plan of action. I hope everybody has a very happy new year! Wishing you the best of luck and much success with all of your New Year resolutions!

What are your New Year resolutions this year? Feel free to share your resolutions or any other feedback in the comment section below.