New year = new outlook on life

After reading a article from Parents.com, I have decided to embrace that perfection doesn't matter.  Here is how I plan to live my life from here on out.  It only took 10+ months of motherhood to figure this out.   

I will embrace the fact that I'm not perfect.

I will embrace that fact that I can be cranky, and I can lose my patience, and yes -- I can even move the clock ahead an hour just so my kid will go to bed early and give you some peace and quiet.  But more importantly I will embrace that fact that my child doesn't need my to be perfect. What she really needs are reasonable limits, lots of hugs and kisses, and a happy mommy.

I will get down on the floor and play with my child every day.

I will put aside my "technology" my plans and my non desire to plan make believe AND I will get involved.  Because playing is my child's way of expressing herself, and my being there boosts her emotional intelligence. Even if I have to fake it and follow her lead.

I will take care of my body.

I can't tell you when's the last time I truly put my needs first? I will force myself and carve out 30 minutes a day, several days a week, to get some exercise.  I will also get back to planning out our meals weekly.  Lastly, I will take her running or playing soccer at least 3 times a week.

I will learn to love the chaos.

Family life is full of unexpected turns, contagious diseases, occasional humiliations, laundry, and more work than i'll ever see an end to. It is also full of moments of great beauty, tenderness, sticky kisses, and a miracle or two. I need to remind myself that she only 6, supposed to try my patience, know nothing about real danger, needs lots of love, won't always listen, touches everything she sees and will continue to challenge me daily to me a better me.

I will make the family dinner a priority.

Sitting down with her each night allows me to connect and talk about our day. Research has found that kids who regularly have dinner with their parents are more likely to do well in school and stay out of trouble.  I remember my family dinners and I want her to too. 

I will focus a little more on my dating life

Relationships are a living thing that needs to be watered, fed, and nurtured. But raising her takes so much time and energy that I choose note to date because I am tired and I don't want to give her less time.  The solution? I am going to hire a babysitter about once a week or every other week, so I can search for my other half.

I will make time for my friends.

I can't live without friends. I need to make sure my real friends know how important they are to me.  I will find time to show them and tell them.  Because friendships not only nurture you emotionally, they also help you combat stress by allowing you to blow off a little steam -- which in turn may actually lower your blood pressure.

I will remind myself daily that time with my child is precious.

My sister and her husband trusted me with 3 kids.  They were ready to hand me all of them at once after her passing.  As it happens I only got one BUT one is still a huge blessing.  I need to remember that Motherhood never ends -- but childhood does. That I have a 6 year old that when I blink  she'll be standing here graduating from high school.   The magic years are unbelievably brief, and every day that little girl is changing and growing, edging a little closer toward the door. I need to remember that the essence of parenting isn't in the milestones, but in the everyday moments. I need to stop, pay attention, and make sure you celebrate her every chance I get.

(I took these point from an article from parents.com and edited and added my own life to it.)