A Mother’s Resolutions for the New Year

© Eugenio Marongiu

The New Year is typically a time of reflection, anticipation of a fresh start, and hope for the future for many of us. I for one was extremely glad to put a bow on 2014 and pack it up. There were many blessings (like the birth of our sweet daughter Esther!), but the year as a whole was one of the most difficult of my adult life.

I’ve been working on my goals for the year, prioritizing and planning. Trying to be realistic about what I can accomplish in 2015 while still doing the rest of life well. And maybe you’ll think this is crazy, but I just keep seeing the faces of my five children as I ponder what I hope to have done by the end of this year.

In the end, no amount of weight lost, blog posts written, or virtual assistant jobs gained can really compete with those sweet faces. This doesn’t mean I don’t have goals for my year, but it does mean that I want to end the year knowing my energy was invested in my children. Growing them. Loving them. Preparing them for their future.

And it’s not that I don’t think about or do these things already, but this is just what is really on my heart. Maybe it’s the promise that comes with the new year. Maybe it’s hormones. 😉 Regardless, raising my family well is what my business is about. Failure is certain to make an occasional appearance, but at the end of the year I would like to be able to look back and know that my family received my best.

These are the things I’m resolving to accomplish this year:

I will hold more hands and give more kisses.

I will say yes more and no less.

I will play games.

I will build forts.

I will laugh more.

I will yell less.

I will say I love you for no reason.

I will build my children up and not tear them down.

I will get rid of angry eyebrows.

I will stop sighing and start smiling.

I will snuggle and read books.

I will be spontaneous.

I will make memories.

I will affirm who my children are in Christ.

I will allow more pictures of myself to be taken.

I will serve gladly.

I will jump in puddles and dance in the rain.

I will take off guilt and put on grace.

I will breathe.

I will savor the moment.

I will replace worry with prayer.

I will show my children that growing older means growing better.

I will dance like crazy.

I will sing out loud.

I will stress less about the mess.

I will make time for tea parties and sword fights.

I will look at screens less and faces more.

I will not let my children’s mistakes define me. Or them.

I will be slow to speak and quick to listen.

I will love.

So, what about you, dear friend? What is on your heart for this year? Anything you would add to the list?

*Update – Click here to get a free printable of Resolutions for a Mother’s Heart!

I’m linking up with The Homeschool Mother’s Journal. Check it out for more encouraging posts!