4 New Years Resolutions for Every Mom to Try

Even though it may seem hard to believe, 2018 is right around the corner. It seems like this year has flown by, and all of a sudden it is time for the holidays and prepping for the new year ahead. And you know that that means -- it is time to make your 2018 new year’s resolutions before the clock strikes midnight on December 31.

However, as a mother, it is all too easy to forget about your needs to concentrate on those of others. But maybe that’s where you should start; putting your needs above your child’s or your spouses once in awhile. We know this may be hard, so we have created a simple list of some new year’s resolutions to try out come January, made especially with mothers in mind. So take a gander and hopefully this will be a leverage point and give you some inspiration for January!

Start a recycling program in your house

Now, you may be wondering why this is on the list when you most likely already have a recycling program in place. Unfortunately, that little blue bin that is probably sitting in your garage may not be cutting it. Humans, especially kids!, produce an incredible a ton of trash, averaging over four pounds of garbage every single day. When you add this up, that is a staggering 1,460 pounds of trash every year. Chances are, a lot of the stuff headed into the garbage pin can be recycled, so just imagine the environmental impact that can happen when you establish a recycling program in your home.

The easiest way to do this is to put a recycling bin on every floor of your home for ease of convenience. Then, we recommend taking a good look at your trash and analyzing what can probably be recycled instead of thrown away. A couple of ideas include:

• Once broken, plastic toys can be recycled
• Once read, those children books can be recycled or given away to charity
• When your kids outgrow their clothing, consider using the fabric scraps for dusting cloths and even cutting them open to be tarps when having arts and crafts.
• Think about composting! All your food waste adds up over time, and composting can create great organic matter to make your garden shine.

Go on a digital detox

In the digital age we live in, this may be easier said than done. It is so easy to get caught up in social media feeds, the news, and always wanting to have a camera on you as a way to grab a cute photo of your kid. But staring at a blue screen all day not only takes you away from the moment, but really can put a significant damper on your mood. Plus, there are plenty of studies that prove excess smartphone use can lead to an increase in stress, so put the phone down! Considering that 43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress, you and your family can really benefit from a step back from the screen. And it doesn’t have to be a complete detox, it can simply be stepping away from all things technology while you go for a walk, spending an hour playing board games as a family, or even swearing off social media after dinnertime.

Consider a staycation

It may be hard to budget a full-blown vacation when you have small kids, so start small by considering a staycation! Simply taking a break from your every-day life will leave you refreshed, recharged, and ready to go. Considering that 96% of American workers say vacation time is important to them, and we know moms are the busiest workers of all!, a few days with some peace and quiet may be all you need to tackle the responsibilities of raising a family and keeping your home in good standing order.

Call in a babysitter or your parents or in-laws for reinforcements, and get ready for some much needed time to yourself.

Establish a new and improved take on dieting

A full 45 million Americans go on a diet every year. A good amount of these diets aren’t as s uccessful simply because they are hard to stick too. Many dieters tend to look at dieting in an unhealthy way; by limiting their calorie intake and sticking to a fad diet. What you should do instead, however, is simply change your lifestyle. If you are looking to lose weight, lower your cholesterol, or try to stay looking flawless in your favorite pair of jeans, then it all starts with changing your everyday habits. This includes limiting sugar, refined carbs, and opting for vegetables and fruits as snacks. So, don’t think of a diet as something that constricts you, think of it as a new world of changes that will bring forth a better you!

While each new year’s resolution can differ, we think these four ideas are great leverage points to get you started. Just remember -- don’t be too hard on yourself, and enjoy what’s to come in the new year!