The reasons for my mommy resolutions

Resolutions. I never keep them. So why do I make them?

Probably for the same reason I clip coupons I never wind up using — the mere act of doing it makes me feel like I’m trying. Well, in 2010 I’d like to be a better parent. I’ve already proven I can’t save money. Forget money. I’d rather save my child.

Save him from what?

First off, from becoming a bossy beast.

Mommy resolution #1: Stop my 3 year-old son from ordering me to do things. Who does he think he is? Tonight he yells at me, “I want my dinner NOW.” And he got an immediate time out. No counting to 3. Just Jack’s butt making immediate contact with the laundry room floor (his time out spot). I congratulated myself for my no-nonsense response. Let’s hope I can keep it up.

Mommy resolution #2: Save Jack from my impatience.

I need to find some kind of a happy place when my 3 year-old refuses to stand still so I can dress him. My goal is to just sigh at the defiance in his spaghetti legs and tsk tsk toward his Spiderman-covered butt as it leaves the room without pants. Nevermind that his sister is screaming for food. I won’t be weak. I just want my fuse to be longer. It seems he’s worn it down to a nub.

Mommy resolution #3: This one goes out to my daughter. I’d like to save her from her mommy zombie. That is, I’d like to be more present during her feedings.

Where am I, you ask? Oh, not far away. Not far at all. Just on the other side of my boob. My breastfed baby has been feeding off me for 6 months. Her brother did it for 13. So I’m on my 19th month of breastfeeding during this lifetime and I’m sorry to say it’s lost all its wonder for me. Don’t get me wrong, I plan to keep doing it. But can you say multi-task? I’ve managed to almost finish Dan Brown’s new book in a week reading solely during breastfeeding. I’ve come to think of it as guilt-free time for me. If I’m breastfeeding, I can’t very well cook, clean, work (well, actually, I can and have), or do anything that requires heavy lifting. So I’m catching up on my reading. I feel bad that I’m not staring into my baby’s big blue eyes and doing that bonding thing everyone writes about. So in 2010 I’d like to stop and smell the breastmilk a little more. I made a point to do it all day today and was rewarded with several sweet baby giggles and smiles.  Ahhh. If that doesn’t motivate me, what will?

Happy New Year! Here’s to sticking to our mommy resolutions!