by Kristin Castle

Created on: December 31, 2009   Last Updated: January 01, 2010

New Year's Resolutions of a Stay at Home Mom

I resolve to make a better effort at being the cool, calm and collected mother I swore I was going to be before I had kids. 

I resolve to spend less time screaming at my kids in frustration and more time communicating with them with patience.

I resolve to worry less about the toys scattered all over the house, and to sit down and play with them, and my children more.

I resolve to understand that my six year old, despite being a very capable little girl, is only six (and just like her mother), and all of my psychotic ranting and raving about lost mittens and shoes,a messy bedroom or a feisty little attitude is not going to change that, thank God.

I resolve to stop scolding my six year old for something and then laughing at my adorable two year old when he does the same thing.

I resolve to stop going to Target just because it's too cold to play outside and I cannot play farm and tractors all morning again for the eighth day in a row and I need to get of us out of the house before we all drive each other crazy.

I resolve to suck it up and go play outside more, even when it's a little cold out. 

I resolve to spend less time wishing my children were perfect little angels, and more time enjoying the child in them.

I resolve to spend more time with the child in me.

I resolve to stop wondering why my children do the things they do, and to remember that I once did the same infuriating things.

I resolve to woman-up to the responsibility of helping my children become the genuinely good people they are meant to be.

I resolve to finish what I start, and to teach my children to do the same.

I resolve to write more; to stop using motherhood as my excuse for being creatively lazy and to rediscover my three greatest muses.

I resolve to cook more, maybe.

And in honor of my mother, I resolve to get organized (I just wish she were here to give me my annual day planner/organizer for Christmas this year, the one we both knew I was never going to use). I resolve to make us both proud.

I resolve to go easier on myself when, despite my best efforts,some things are left unresolved.

I resolve to be a better mom.

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