by Susan J Dipietro

Created on: December 28, 2008

New Year's Resolutions- we all make them, most of us break them. So why do we bother in the first place? Tradition dictates that the New Year brings with it the opportunity for new beginnings, a fresh start. Our resolutions are typically lofty goals, and can also be fairly vague and ambiguous, which explains why they are difficult to keep. Busy moms are no exception, and may find it even more difficult than others to keep new their new year's resolution.

This year, take the time to set goals that you can achieve. A little bit of thought and planning can go a long way in helping you achieve the results you are looking for. Start by making a wish list. Your list may look something like this:

Spend more time with my family
Lose weight
Get household finances in order
Get the house organized

Involve the people that will be affected by your goals in the process. This might include your partner, children if they are old enough, babysitter, neighbors and family members. If they are invested in the process from the beginning, the likelihood of success is that much greater.

Now prioritize your list. You may feel overwhelmed if there are too many items on the list, but it will help you to see where you can make positive changes in your life. Make a list of suggestions under each item on your list- perhaps include obstacles to achieving the goal and ways to overcome those obstacles.

You may begin to see ways in which one positive change can influence another. For example, spending more time with your family might include a weekly walk to the park or a bike ride on Saturday afternoons. This will also give you an opportunity to incorporate some exercise into your week, which will help with your weight loss goal. This would eliminate the "not enough time" obstacle from your losing weight goal.

Spending time together could also include chore time. While it is not typically considered "fun" it can be a way to encourage cooperation, and if everything is done by Saturday at 2:00 maybe a family bowling trip or a hike around a nearby pond could be the reward.

Involving family members in establishing a savings account can be a good way to begin looking at your household budget. Perhaps you can agree to spend time cooking a meal at home together rather than going out every Friday night. Money saved could go towards a reward at the end of the month or maybe a weekend getaway. In the process, you can prepare a healthful low-fat meal in lieu of that pizza or fast food you would have otherwise had.

Post your list in a prominent location to remind you that these goals are important to you. You may also want to make "dates" for things on your calendar so that they become as much a part of your routine as school and work. With a little organization and cooperation, even busy moms can make New Year's resolutions pay off!

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