
Understanding Ectopic Pregnancies and Pregnancy Health
An ectopic pregnancies affect 1-2% of all pregnancies and up to 4% of those receiving reproductive assistance. Read about what ectopic pregnancies are here.
Are you a new parent in the new year? After the whirlwind of time that is the holidays, the new year is a great time to finally slow down and make some resolutions. See some of our favorite New Year’s resolution ideas for new parents below so you can start off your year with motivation for the year ahead!
Easier said than done as a new parent, right? It might seem impossible, but it can be as simple as setting aside 15-30 minutes for yourself every day. Making an effort for “me time” is important for your mental health.
It is so easy to pick up your cell phone or turn on the TV and stare at a screen for hours. Give your eyes a rest and your brain a break by trying something new to pass some time. Read a book, cook recipes, go for a walk – whatever you want!
Ever want to see what all they hype is about with chess or knitting? Use this year as an opportunity to pick up a new hobby that will keep you stimulated. It also helps with the other two: more time to yourself and less screen time!
Being a new parent can get hectic, and there is nothing wrong with asking for help. Whether it’s babysitting you need or asking someone to grab something from the store for you, give yourself a break and accept help people have to offer.
You might be around your partner all the time, but how much of it is strictly adult time? Make it a regular thing this year to plan some adult-only time where you and your partner can connect without parenting duties on your mind.
Your baby’s early months are prime time for bonding. You are a parent all day, of course, but bonding means slowing down and enjoying time with your baby. Singing, dedicated playing, or rocking together are all great bonding activities.
Is your attic, garage, or basement looking a little cluttered? Make a New Year’s resolution to organize your storage spaces. You’ll start to collect a lot of new items throughout parenthood, so starting organized will be a huge help!
Completing home projects might seem like the last thing you want to do in the midst of new parenthood, but having a space you’re comfortable in is important. Start with small, easy tasks like painting a wall or changing light fixtures.
Being a new parent can be messy! Cleaning along the way can help, but make a resolution to do a true deep clean every few months. Be sure to use baby-safe cleaning products to keep everyone happy, healthy, and clean.
You’ve probably purchased a lot of things for your baby, but don’t forget to invest in yourself as well! This can mean a number of things, whether it’s buying healthy ingredients, buying a gym membership, or treating yourself to massages.
Being outdoors can be great for your health. Not only does it promote movement and more access to vitamin D, it also allows you to break up your day and get fresh air. Get outside for physical and mental health benefits.
Ordering fast food and takeout is easy when new parenthood has you constantly on the move, but make a New Year’s resolution to prepare more homemade meals. It’s easier, cheaper, and can be a great family bonding experience.
The future of travel might be a little different than previous years, but that shouldn’t stop you from planning a trip down the road. Trip planning gives you something to look forward to, even if it’s just a simple road trip.
Work is important, but your wellbeing is even more important. If you have time that you can take off of work, don’t hesitate to use it to the fullest extent! Days off of work let you relax and recharge to make life a little easier.
You have a whole new year ahead to have new experiences and try new things. If you have a bucket list, find at least one thing to cross off as a New Year’s resolution. Bucket list items give you something to look forward to and be proud of.
Budgeting isn’t the most fun task, but it can really set you up for success in the upcoming year. Being a new parent means having new expenses you aren’t used to. Have a budget in place to make finances a little less stressful.
A nest egg is one of the most valuable things you can set up for your growing family. Nest eggs are large savings of money for a particular reason. Reasons range from emergency funds to new home and education funds.
Want a refresh of the items in your home? One of the best things to do is sell or donate your existing items first. This will make you take inventory of what you do have, make money from what you sell, and help others with what you donate.
It is unfortunately very easy to get caught up in life and forget to connect with loved ones on a regular basis. Make a New Year’s resolution to pick up the phone and brighten someone’s day with your voice. Better yet, make it a video call!
Earlier, we suggested cooking more meals at home. The next step in that resolution is to eat those meals as a family. Schedules don’t always line up, but make the effort to eat meals together as a time to wind down and bond.
Journaling, photo albums, memory books, or any other recording tool are all great ways to document this chapter in your life. So many exciting things happen during this time, and you will definitely want to look back on your baby’s first year!
No matter which New Year’s resolution ideas you choose to use, the most important thing to consider is setting realistic goals and resolutions. Setting outlandish goals will eventually lead to you falling off track, losing motivation, or becoming disheartened. You already have enough on your plate as a new parent. Setting realistic New Year’s resolutions will give you positive wins and successes throughout the year. If you are experiencing new parenthood this year, use these ideas to have a happy, healthy, fun, and productive new year!