Momilutions

Every year I make the same New Year’s Resolution (eat healthier), and every year I mostly ignore that resolution (but chocolate IS healthy!). This year, I think I’ll focus on Momilutions, instead, and they’ll be less about changing what I do and more about reframing how I view my world. Here is my top five:

• Remember that frozen chicken nuggets for dinner do not represent a parenting failure. They are a means to provide my children with a less stressed mother. And hey, I buy the “all breast meat, with whole grains” ones. That’s better, right?

• Provide my children with opportunities to boost their immune systems by embracing my dirty floors. I have dark floors, two kids, and a white dog that sheds. This means they stay clean for about 5 seconds after mopping. I can run around like a crazy woman trying to keep them clean, or I can embrace the dirt (and dog hair). This year, dirt don’t hurt.

• Let my kids work it out themselves. I’m not a fan of sibling fighting, mostly because it is loud and always ends with me being called in to mediate. This year, I’m going to stop serving as judge and let my kids work out their own issues more often. We’re building life skills, kids. Let me know when you decide whose turn it is with this toy; in the meantime it will be right here with me.

• Allow my children to improve their ability to play imaginatively and increase independence by not scheduling entertainment for them 24/7. This year, I’d like to say, “go play” more and “get your shoes on, we’re late” less.

• Celebrate their creativity and individuality by allowing them to wear what they pick out, provided it is weather-appropriate, regardless of color, pattern, or style. A pink plaid turtleneck with a brown jumper, green tutu, orange tights, and rain boots? Wow, Caveman, the other boys will be jealous!

And a bonus: Give more hugs, kisses, tickles, and snuggles. You can never have too many.