It’s the time of year to set new goals for yourself. As moms, we are sometimes so focused on our children, that we forget to take care of ourselves. As I enter into this new year of uncertainty. I want to set myself up for success in my home life as a mother. Here are some of my new goals for the year 2021 as a mom. I hope you will feel inspired to make your own goals this year if you haven’t already and will share them in the comments below. So we can keep each other accountable and get ideas from one another.
Wake Up Before the Children
There is nothing more infuriating than getting your slumber interrupted. When I try to sleep in I find myself more agitated as my children come flying into my room prompting me out of bed to do this and that. And why do they always ask for a snack in the morning? I never ever say yes!
My first new goal for the year is to consistently wake up before my children. Sometimes this seems like a daunting task, but I find starting the day intentionally always leaves me feeling more rested. Waking up even just 5 or 10 minutes before the kids helps start the day on a good note.
When I get up earlier than my children I aim for 5:30 am. My kids tend to wake up between 6 and 6:30 am usually. This gives me enough time to make my latte before the kids wake up which takes 10x longer when they’re awake. After that, I sit down to pray and read my bible. Finally, I bust out my planner and try to figure out what I want to get done for the day. Sometimes I even get dressed and throw on some mascara and earrings.
Making time for myself in the morning allows me the benefit of feeling put together. Mentally preparing for the tasks I want to get done and to care for my children makes the world of difference. Unlike other “self-care” habits I never feel mom-guilt for this one. In fact, I feel better knowing that my children will benefit from me taking time in the morning time to care for myself.
Drink More Water
Drinking water is so important. As a busy mom, it is easy to forget to drink water. Taking care of our health as mothers can sometimes take the back burner. But we do our children an injustice by not prioritizing our health.
Dehydration can cause headaches, irritability, sugar cravings and other symptoms. Hydration regulates body temperature, increases circulation, prevents weight gain, and so much more.
I drink more water if it is chilled and I have a straw. Sometimes I enjoy a bit of lemon squeezed in my water or strawberry if I want to get fancy. Figure out what helps you to drink more water and set yourself up success i.e.: hydration.
Eat Less Sugar
I love eating. My addiction to sugar is definitely a problem in my life. Entering the new year 8 months pregnant I find myself using pregnancy as an excuse to make poor food choices. My goal is to focus on eating more greens and less sugar.
In order to do so, I plan to buy less ice cream and sugary goodies. I find if I have the sugar in my house, it does not go to waste. Most times I crave sugar if I am staying up too late or dehydrated. Instead of focusing on not eating sweets, I plan to focus on getting to bed early and drinking more water. Focus on the positive right?
Read More
One of the new goals I really want to make a habit of is reading more. Personally, I have never been an avid reader. When I do read, I feel more content and fulfilled than I do when I consume information on a computer, tv, or phone.
As a mother, I desire for my children to love reading and not be little screen addicts. But how can I rightfully expect my children to want to read if they only see me on a screen constantly? Sure, I could be reading online, but there is something about seeing your parent reading a book that inspires you as a child.
I’ll be honest. It is not easy to find time to sit down and read a book when you have small children running around. I find one of the best times to read while children are awake is while they are playing outside. My favorite time to really sit and enjoy a book is during nap time. I use reading as a reward for getting the lunch dishes washed and sometimes even sneak in a treat with it (usually ice cream which I’ll have to switch out with some natural sugars, maybe blueberries).
Speak Kindly
Possibly the most important new goal for this year is to speak kindly. Speak kindly to my children, my husband, and of those who have hurt me. My natural tendency is to use my words as weapons when I am upset. This is not only damaging to my children, but also ends up creating bad habits for me and my little copycats.
I remember about a year ago walking through a local thrift store and kindly asking Eleanor to not touch certain items and to follow me this way. An elderly woman who was watching turned to me and asked if I was their mother (talking about my kids). She was impressed with how kindly I spoke to my children. The reason I say this is not to pat myself on the back, but because it was a stark difference from the way I spoke to my children when we are at home with no one around watching. I always want to be the mother that the elderly woman commended in the thrift store. My goal is to treat my children as if we are always being watched, I am truly a better mother when I am more aware of the way I speak to my children.
What New Goals Are You Setting for 2021?
Leave them in the comments below.
Be sure to check out my latest posts if you haven’t already.
- 3 Reasons Not to Worry About Being Behind This Homeschool Year
- How to Decongest Your Baby – Home Remedies
- Teach Your Child to Blow Their Nose (Easy)
- Things That I Do, That Only Bad Moms Do
- How to Stop Having Mom Guilt & Start Living
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