New Year’s Resolutions for Busy Parents

New Year’s resolutions – the annual tradition of promising ourselves we’ll be better humans. But when you’re a parent, resolutions hit differently. Forget learning French or taking up yoga; you’re in the trenches of tantrums, lunchbox negotiations, and stepping on LEGO. This year, why not set some resolutions that are actually achievable? Here’s my list of reasonable goals for busy parents to tackle in the new year.

I Will Stop Drinking Cold Tea (or Coffee)

Every parent knows the pain of a lukewarm cuppa abandoned somewhere between “Muuuuuum!” and “I’m hungry?” But this year, we resolve to actually finish a hot drink before it becomes an unintentional iced latte. Top tip: Embrace the travel mug, even at home. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps things warm when you’re refereeing another sibling smackdown.

I Will Not Yell “Put Your Shoes On!” More Than Twice a Day

Let’s be honest: shoes are a battleground. This year, let’s aim to reduce the number of times we lose it over the simple act of footwear. Strategy: Consider making shoe-wearing a pre-breakfast rule. If they’re already wearing them by 7:30am, that’s one less meltdown before school.

I Will Master the Art of the Packed Lunch

Every parent dreams of packing the perfect lunchbox: healthy, balanced, and completely eaten. Reality? The kids bring home half-eaten sandwiches and a note from the teacher suggesting health alternatives. Goal for 2025: Pack a lunch that’s both nutritious and edible, without resorting to making star-shaped sandwiches at 10pm. (And yes, Tiny Teddies count as food.)

I Will Declutter the Toy Box

At some point, your living room turned into a plastic jungle, and now the toy box is a mythical black hole where Barbie’s shoes go to die. This year, we’re decluttering like Marie Kondo with a vengeance. Hot tip: If it hasn’t been played within six months, it goes. Bonus points for donating it before the kids notice and suddenly must have that toy they forgot existed.

I Will Embrace “Good Enough” Parenting

Instagram and Pinterest can take a hike. This year, we’re ditching perfection and embracing reality. The kids are fed? Winning. They wore matching socks most of the time? Gold medal. You made it through another day without locking yourself in the bathroom with a bottle of wine? Absolute champion.