As much as I enjoy Christmas I have to say that the days after the big event have always been some of my favorites. The week between Christmas and New Years is a time for visiting friends and family and enjoying time with my kids.
It’s also time for everyone to start talking about their New Years resolutions.
That is, everyone but me.
Once again I have decided to take advantage of the Mommy Exemption from making any New Year Resolutions.
What is the Mommy Exemption?
It’s my rule that says any person who is required to change herself on an hourly basis to keep up with growing children in a constantly changing world is already making enough resolutions.
If you find yourself making daily resolutions such as, today I will not get cranky at my 13 year old when he asks for the tenth time if he really needs to go to bed at 9:00 or acts surprised and even angry the next morning that he has to actually wake up and go to school, you might qualify for this exemption.
I started taking the Mommy Exemption last year, and have decided to take it again for 2012.
I love being a mother. It’s changed me in ways that I could not have imagined. I’m a stronger, more confident woman. I’ve tackled problems as big as advocating for my special needs daughter and as small as figuring out that if I make monster eating sounds while cutting my six-year-old’s fingernails he won’t get freaked out.
It has taken me 46 years and enough money spent on therapy to buy a small house, but I like who I am. Are there things I am still working on? Of course there are. But I don’t need the calendar to remind me of that, I only need look in the mirror.
Sadly, yet again Santa did not bring me the GPS device I wanted to locate my pre-children body. So, I guess I need to accept the hard truth that I’m on my own.
I also have come to the difficult conclusion that no elf is going to put my name on top of my to-do list. I’m going to have to do that one by myself.
The problem is the big yearly resolutions have never worked for me. The grand pronouncements of all the ways I’m going to change my life only leave me feeling more frustrated. It’s my actions that always speak louder than my words.
By taking the exemption again this year I’m allowing myself the freedom to change when I’m ready to and not when I flip my calendar.
So bring on the articles and posts about all the wonderful things we moms should resolve to do in the New Year. I’m taking a page out of my kids book and not listening. I may even put my hands on my ears and scream it at the top of my lungs just for the fun of it!
Happy New Year!
Authors note: I first posted the Mommy Exemption on Momster.com in January 2011. This piece is an updated version and the first time I have explored the subject on Blogger.
I was thinking of making my yearly resolution of losing weight and trust me this year I really need to, but maybe I will just skip the resolution.
Happy New Year!
I’m not so big on new year resolutions, but I do like to make my changes in December–at least start to. Oh, and always way before Christmas.
I also make daily resolutions such as: today I will not get annoyed when my daughter misses her nap.
Even though I really NEED her to take that nap.
Well said!! I had a long list the other day of resolutions I was considering, but I’ve already forgotten what they were….guess that’s a sign that I don’t really need to change! Or I need to resolve to start writing stuff down! But I’m kind if drawn to the exemption because your right, we do have to change and goal set almost daily, why make it even harder or put more pressure on ourselves?
Can the mother of only an elderly cat take the exemption too?
I love this idea! You are so right about how mommies make new resolutions on a near daily basis. I remember those days well!
Wish I could say the same thing but who’s going to take care of the household…ahh, if only I had a fairy godmother!?! Just kidding, sounds like a great idea, though.
By the way, I hope you had a wonderful holiday and the kids had fun opening presents.
Wishing you the best, Barbara
What a wonderful idea! I’m taking the Mommy Exemption too this year!
Ah, resolutions. I think it sets people up for failing and messes with our minds. While I like to start things, or change things, and setting a date does help, why not make it a daily activity? To wait until Jan.1. has always been a bit silly to me. Why not do it now?! And I think the Mommy Exemption is a great idea. “GPS device I wanted to locate my pre-children body” LOVE! I hope you had a great Christmas and enjoy the week with your family.
Brilliant! I hadn’t thought about resolutions and motherhood quite like this before!
I, too, am taking an exemption!
Thank you all so much for your great comments!! I was afraid I was just going to hear crickets on the site because everyone is busy with all the holiday clean-up and putting toy’s together!! You guys are the best blogging buds ever!!!
I think we might be able to start our own movement with regards to the no yearly resolutions!
Hillary, of course you are eligible for the exemption! Cat mommies (and dog mommies too,if there are any who read me!) are completely included!!
Thank you all for your support!! Much love to you all! I hope you all have a very safe and very happy New Year!!!
There is such pressure about this topic, huh! Of course, it gives all of us plenty of blog material;) I usually take the exemption too, but this year the blogging world is forcing me otherwise. I’ll have to see how it goes??
P.S. Love that you make monster eating sounds while cutting fingernails…good one!
Amen. I am starting a new project, but that is all I can muster. If I can cut through some of the clutter (read: crap) in my house before spring, I would be overjoyed. That is all I am committing to, that and making my kids laugh once a day. If they are laughing, I am laughing and that is just good all the way around. Happy New Year sweet mama! XO
I’m so bad at sticking to new year resolutions. I do better at achieving some set goals.
Wishing you a new year full of achievements.
What a fantastic piece. I take the mommy exemption too and the only resolution I make is to NOT make anymore resolutions. They always get broken and then I always feel like a failure. No more for me.
Stopping by from VB!
I love that I’m having so much company in my no resolutions for 2012!!
Courtney, the monster eating sounds really works with the nail cutting. Peter even makes the burping sounds now and hardly minds it when I do it!!
Love to you all!!
I am joining you with the Mommy Exemption for 2012! By the end of your post I had an urge to stand up on my chair (at work) and applaud! THANK YOU for sharing this.
I love this! Dani also sufferers from the “I want to stay up late. How dare you make me get up!?!” ailment.
I think you have the perfect idea–you’ve earned that exemption!!! That would probably be a great thing for me too, though I’m pretty sure I am physically unable to go goalless for New Year’s–I was just writing about that–it’s a compulsion.
Hoping your beautiful family is having the best post-Christmas days!!!
This is a great post — funny but true. I’m glad I found your blog…sure I’ll be back!
I like your thinking, Kathy! So glad you had a wonderful Christmas!!
I agree with there being this pressure come the new year – that we automatically should have a list ready to check off. I know you’ve learned so many valuable and beautiful lessons in life. And that is to take each day…each week…each month as it comes. Bc we never know what’s ahead of us. I think this new year will continue to bless you and your family with love and blessings!!! You’re a true inspiration!!
Lots of love and happiness to you as we approach 2012!
Xoxoxoxoxoxo
Maria 🙂
Great post!
I usually post an entry on what I resolve NOT to do, ha.
Funny as always! I love how you make monster sounds while cutting your 6 year old’s nails. I just give my son the evil eye and tell him to keep still. He usually follows me, even if he’s scared at times. I might try the monster sound effects next time though.
You go girl!! I love how you’re such a rebel. Me? I’m doing my goal planning. Lol! I’m a by the rules kinda gal.
~Love you!
Rosann
Love love love love love this! I have never been one to make New Year’s resolutions. I never stick with them (they are usually too over-the-top) and I find I am more committed to improving myself if I just change slowly over time (baby steps!). I love that I now have a term I can use! Mommy Exemption makes the perfect sense!
Great post as always Kathy. I don’t have any hard resolutions in place. Just to probably be kinder to the ones I love, and also myself. Wishing you and your family all the very best for the new year ! xx
Kathy, you and I are on the same wavelength today…I just wrote a post about resolutions that I’ll be putting up in a few days. I agree-we should change on our own time, in our own way.
Girl, we need to start a movement of sorts. I do the same thing every year and get depressed and sad at the lack of progress. I am not making any either. Life is dynamic. Let it evolve as it wishes. WOOO HOO!
I think we really have the makings of a movement here!! I love that I have so much company this year!!! Thank you all for your wonderful comments! You guys are the best!! Much love to you all!!
I always try to make resolutions but I think I’ve gone about them them the wrong way in the past. I think just being happy and enjoying life are the most important things.
Love this!! I have vowed not to make any resolutions this year, but I am going to make a to-do list of things to do in 2012. I still cling to the fantasy of being able to make lasting change – but after 37 years, I know New Year’s Resolutions don’t work. Time for a different strategy!
Yep, yep!…Count me in!…I don’t believe in resolutions either, at least not the really specific and stereotypical ones (losing weight, saving more, blah blah blah>>>). I don’t need any additional things to worry and stress over that would further add to my unparalleled sense of inadequacy. Hhahaha!