7 New Year’s Resolutions for New Parents

The new year offers parents the opportunity to set meaningful goals that both align with their vision of parenthood and establish a healthy balance. Many new year’s resolutions revolve around self-improvement. Consider making yours about self-care, to be more specific! Parents at their best tend to be more patient, gentle, and kind. So, rest up and take it easy on yourself this year so you can reap the benefits of balance.

1. Make Time for Yourself

It can be easy for new parents to develop tunnel vision when it comes to their newborn. But, solely focusing on your baby is unsustainable and will eventually result in you burning out. While caring for your baby will obviously be at the top of your priority list, it should be joined by self-care, one of the best parenting resolutions you can give yourself! A sustainable and happy lifestyle can be established when you’re able to effectively balance caring for yourself and your family.

2. Prioritize Your Health and Wellness

Caring for your baby requires you to be properly cared for, as well. Make sure to check in with your body and mind often so you’re aware of any issues. If you’re not feeling well or you feel like you need emotional support, the best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to ask for help. Instead of casting your concerns aside and turning all your attention to your newborn, take care of yourself so you are better equipped to do so.

3. Build Your Support System – and Use It

“It takes a village to raise a child” isn’t just a quirky saying – it’s the truth! Build on your current relationships. Take family members up on babysitting offers. Join parenting groups for support (and fun). The more you strengthen and expand your support system, the more you can rely on it. Asking for help and delegating tasks doesn’t make you needy, it makes you human. More often than not, people are happy to help out in exchange for baby cuddles. Making sure you are surrounded by a healthy support system is one of the many new year resolution ideas that will help strengthen your family.

4. Stick with Your Passions

A common concern amongst new parents is that they begin to lose themselves in parenthood. While having a child is life-altering, it shouldn’t overshadow everything else that makes you who you are. Keep up with the things you’re passionate about. If you don’t know what those are yet, do some exploring.  Find things you like to do outside of parenting, or rediscover an old hobby. When you have a source of joy and happiness outside of parenting, it gives you something to escape to when you need a break.

5. Give Your Body a Break

Many new moms set lofty goals when it comes to getting their pre-baby figure back. A healthier alternative is to acknowledge your body for the amazing, life-giving vehicle that it is and to be patient with yourself as you heal. Setting high expectations for yourself may lead to disappointment when it comes to the new year resolution ideas – which is the last thing you should be feeling toward a body that helped you grow your family. Give yourself space and time to achieve your goals. Make healthy changes that align with your goals, but avoid going overboard or associating your self-confidence with the way your post-baby body looks.

6. Prioritize Your Relationship

Strengthening your bond with your partner can help the two of you get on the same page and parent effectively as a team. Call on that support system every once in a while to babysit so you two can get out of the house and enjoy each other’s company. Allow topics of conversation to stray from parenting and just give yourselves a break. Chances are this will help you to realign and connect on a deeper level.

7. Allow Yourself the Occasional Mistake

No human is perfect, which effectively means no parent is perfect. Don’t beat yourself up about the occasional mistake, or two. Making mistakes is how you learn to do better next time. Realizing that you’re inevitably going to mess up gives you permission to reflect, recover, and move on.

Taking proper care of yourself means that you’re able to face the day as your best self. While new parents tend to dedicate 100 percent of their efforts and attention to their newborn, 2018 opens up the opportunity to find a healthy balance. Taking some time to strengthen personal relationships, getting back into an old hobby, or simply relaxing while reading your favorite book can be just what you need to avoid burnout. Give yourself a break this year and find a healthy balance that works for you and your family.