Mom resolutions

I’m told making resolutions is better than not making them at all. But what if it takes me all year to make them?

Area fitness experts were all for resolutions, as you can see in the McHenry County Magazine article I wrote about getting fit in the new year. That, and you should be as detailed as possible, writing down the numerous goals you’d like to meet throughout the year.

My first goal is to find a pen. Second, some paper. Third, an open spot on the kitchen table to write. Fourth, an answer to the question, “Why is this table sticky?” Fifth, a towel and some cleaner.

Sixth ... now, what was I going to write about?

As I see it, the advice given on how to get fit can pretty much apply to anything, including motherhood.
Stay motivated and consistent, seek help when needed, don’t overdo it and, of course, take care of yourself.

Because even Mom can’t fix everything. Take a broken banana, for example.

As traumatic as it can be, there’s just no putting that banana back together once you’ve split it in half to give to a couple kids.

Yes, it might be a difficult and long journey, but the child howling because she wanted, no deserved, a whole banana will recover. One day. Perhaps after therapy.

So instead of resolving something generic, such as being the best mom I can be this year, I thought I’d list a few specific goals, several carried over from years' past. 

I resolve to:

• Mother the kids I have as best I can, not the ones written about in the parenting advice books and articles I read. (I read this bit of advice or something like it somewhere, and loved it.)

• Breathe deeply often, even if doing so requires the removal of one of my children’s fingers from my nose.

• Try as often as possible to wake up before my kids and be as patient as possible at bedtime. Because I’m a better mom with a cup of coffee. And I figure if at least the beginning and the end of the days go well, I can’t be that bad at this mom thing.