As single moms, a new year can be a perfect time to set some goals and resolutions. Here are some ideas that you can choose from.
10 New Year’s Resolutions for Single Moms
- Take care of You
Flying solo as a single parent is hard enough, but sometimes it is hard to put ourselves first before the children. Yet I genuinely believe that to fully function as a single mom; we need to take care of ourselves first. Remember how flight attendants always remind you if you are flying with children and the cabin pressure drops, you must put the oxygen mask on yourself first before assisting your children? The same principle applies to us single moms. Feed yourself with things that enrich your soul and make you a better mother to your children.
- Be Truly Present
When you are with your children, be truly present. Put aside the phone – I know I am still managing this part, too – and engage with your children fully. They will love the moments you devote to them. As single moms, we juggle so many things, so when we can create quality time with our little ones, it is best to be completely present.
- Learn to Say No
It is so easy to get ourselves overstretched with work and our kids’ school activities. If you feel like you cannot possibly be involved 100% in your children’s school “Family Day Committee,” then by all means, be upfront and tell them you cannot participate and do not feel guilty about it.
- Unpack Your Baggage
This may very well be the hardest thing to do. After your divorce/separation, there will be emotional wounds and maybe unresolved issues that you tried to hide because God knows you already have way too much to handle at this stage, but this year try to make an effort to deal with your emotional baggage. Make this year a year towards healing.
- Find Deeper Friendships
Sometimes friends come and go just like seasons of our lives. If you realize some friendships do not serve you anymore or only cause you anxiety, it may be time to let that friendship go. Make time to meet new people and possibly develop new friendships, the kinds that fuel your soul this year.
- Realize You Cannot Do Everything on Your Own
Realizing you can’t do everything on your own is a big realization but one that is important to acknowledge. Graciously accept the help offered by the other moms from school when they extend it. Be grateful and try to reciprocate in the future. Identify those who are willing to help you out.
- Pursue Your Passion
Be it writing, blogging, or designing, find time to grow your passion. Who knows, it may lead you to make an income.
- Support Other Single Moms
If you have been a single mom for a while, you have more experience than the newly separated. Join support groups and offer your insights.
- Be Grateful
It is so easy to feel overwhelmed being a single mom, but once in a while, we need to stop and just inhale. Take a deep breath and count our blessings. Participate in the 100 Days of Happiness Project or start a gratitude journal.
- Focus on the Positive
Concentrate on what you have in common with other people more than what is different. Act positively, think positively, and do your best to maintain feeling positive. This will take some practice, but we can train ourselves to be positive with time. You can do that by looking for positive outcomes and experiences and approaching things positively.
Please let me know if you have any ideas to add to this list in the comment box below.
So inspiring.
Like this —> Support Other Single Moms, Be Grateful, and Focus on the Positive 🙂
Thank you mbak Indah 🙂
Many of these are also applicable to non-parents and non-single moms, too! I feel that number one is especially neglected for many single moms.
It is applicable for everyone that is willing to use this, Hana. Thank you. I understand why it is difficult for single moms to put themselves first because they feel guilty for doing so but in the long run it is so important to take time for yourself when you are a mom (single or married) 🙂
I am not yet a mom but this is applicable also to teenagers like me. 😀
Thank you so much for letting me know that it is applicable for you too, Danica 🙂
You should always have time for your passion.
Thanks for sharing and for being inspiration for other single mom. 🙂
Definitely Ace but sometime juggling motherhood/parenting it is easy to let our passion go. Your kind words made my day. Thank you so much! 🙂
Great list!! God bless all of the single Mom’s out there – I don’t know how you do it!
Thanks Jamie! God bless you too. We just don’t think about it really and just do it, same to all mothers I think 🙂
You enumerated things inside your heart but life still goes on and be happy what lies ahead.
Thank you Fernando 🙂
Right >> Focus on the positive, positive thinking is the key to be happy 🙂
Absolutely mbak Maya 🙂 Bersyukur itu penting banget buat semua emang nggak hanya untuk single mom.
The number 10 shines more the rests of all, to me. Despite of the circumstances, there is always a brighter side that we can get and remain composed.
So true Robi, it’s a matter of wanting to look for the brighter side in whatever life throws at us isn’t? 🙂 Thank you for your visit.
Taking care of oneself is really important but for a responsibilities of a single mom, this one is difficult. It would help to really set aside time for that and get help when needed.
Very difficult but still doable Franc. I of course have to relies on my family’s helps and it helps too because my son is already in school. Thank you for your kind words.
As others have already said, this is a great list for everyone, not just single moms. I need to work on #6 in all aspects of my life. I forget it is okay to ask for help sometimes.
Thank you Audrey! Our independent feelings sometimes stop us from accepting helps when we know we can’t do everything on our own. I too am still learning.
These are great resolutions, Maureen! Cheers to you in this new year!
And to you too, my friend! Thank you!
Positive says. Thanks for sharing such great new year resolution!
Thank you Sin Yee! Happy New Year to you too 🙂
Raising kids as a couple is hard enough, so being a single parent is double the difficulty. Bravo for your resolutions, hope you can keep them always. Is your main title photo of mom and child in the sunset you and your kid? Great looking photo?
Thank you Fred. Parenting is not easy for sure and single parent has to do both that being a mother and father to their children. Not easy but we must do it. That’s a stock photo not me and my son 🙂
it is not easy to be single mum. thanks for the tips and motivations
Thank you for the kind words, Kelly 🙂
If we don’t take care of self, we can’t take care of anyone else… Wishing you a great 2015!
And to you too, Eliz 🙂 Thank you for your kind words. Happy to reconnect with you again this year.
I’m not a single mom, but I have lots of friends that are. These are all great tips and I really like the one about supporting other single moms. Sometimes we all forget that many single moms are both mom and dad to their children. I can’t imagine doing it all by myself. My heart goes out to all single moms. I’m pinning and sharing on my FB page.
Thank for sharing and for your thoughtful words, Alli. It really is twice the work but also twice the love 🙂
This is inspiring, and definitely a good list of resolutions not just for single moms, but for others as well. Even for me, whose not yet married and doesn’t have children yet. 🙂 This somehow served as a reminder of what I should do and pursue. Anyway, happy new year Maureen!
Thank you Sumi, I am happy to hear it can even be applied to the young generations 🙂 Have a wonderful 2015!
Its not easy to race a child. But thanks to god he is my strenght and my saviour
Thank you so much Sin Yee! 🙂
Definitely not easy. Thank you for your kind words Kelly 🙂
Makasih mbak Maya 🙂
#1, so true! i have learned to say No. thank god! lol
Maureen, these are all great resolutions for single moms. I'd have to say that #s 4, 5, 8 & 10 are my favorites and are goals that I strive for on a regular basis. I'd also add, "learn something new." Sometimes getting stuck in a routine causes us to lose a zest for life especially as single moms when free time is limited.
I LOVE that, Regina…learning new thing should definitely be added. It will bring new excitements too and like you said, the zest 🙂 Thank you,!
Great for you 😀
I think the most important point here is No. 2 Be Truly present. Children need that. As a mom, and a single one at that, you’re the only person your kids will look up to.
These are great resolutions!! I would say to be a single mom is pretty hard, you need to be a father and a mother at the same time !! My mother grew me up and I have an idea from my mother experiences about it!
Eri, your words warm my heart. Thank you so much! Your mother did a fantastic job raising such a wonderful daughter! Like the saying goes being a single parent is twice the work and twice the love.
Goodluck to your resolutions. Being a single must be difficult but with dedication and help from Up and your loved ones, you can do everything you want 🙂
wow this is such an inspirational post and very positive..
thank you for sharing with us 🙂
its nice to hear your story..
based in jakarta? i didn’t expected we both are Indonesian :p ..
great~ keep it up your work, mom! 🙂