New Year's Resolutions for Mothers of Multiples

Guest writer, Elizabeth Lyons, is the author of "Ready or Not…Here We Come! The REAL Experts' Cannot-Live-Without Guide to the First Year with Twins".

It's a new year. Time for new perspectives, attitudes, and -- if you're under the age of five in my house -- behaviors. Never mind the standard resolutions to eat better, lose a few pounds, or clean more frequently. Let's be honest, we make them every year and every year we barely stick with them past January 6. This year, let's make a few realistic resolutions that will ensure a more stress-free lifestyle.

Out With the Old & In With the New!

It's time for a cleansing. Don't worry; I am not referring to your house ... yet. I'm asking you to cleanse your frazzled mind. Leave all the frustrations, challenges, and tantrums of last year behind. Said Norman Cousins, an author, poet, and writer, "Life is an adventure in forgiveness." Take a minute (or an hour, if necessary) to forgive your children for the things they damaged or destroyed last year. Forgive your husband for not realizing or acknowledging with enough frequency how much you accomplish each day. Forgive yourself for reacting less than calmly in your more frustrating moments. Wipe the slate clean. Remember that this year, your children will likely lose their interest in the breakables of yesteryear. Your husband has another 365 days to work toward the moment when you can no longer ask in desperation, "Honey, when are you going to get it?" And by all means, hit the mall this weekend and buy one cute skirt; the sales this time of year are reason enough!

Ensure You Have a New Calendar.
We moms are nothing without our calendars. I believe if I had to choose between a cell phone and a calendar, I might surprise even myself and pick the calendar. Instead of buying a simple, bland calendar that only reminds you of how busy your life has become, find a humorous one that will guarantee you start each day with a laugh. I like to keep a day-to-day calendar next to my more professional -- and cluttered -- one, which provides a humorous quote or thought that keeps me smiling all day long (and sometimes longer). At the top of my list: The Bad Girl's Rage-a-Day calendar, Moms: Funny and True Tales of Motherhood Day-to-Day Calendar, and the Cathy Day-to-Day Calendar. Each of these is available at Calendarexpress.com or click the links above to compare prices at other outlets.

Plan Your Weekly Escape
For goodness' sake, this does not include a trip to Target for diapers or the grocery store for the week's food items! Plan to have a scheduled afternoon or evening each week when you do something for yourself. Sign up for a yoga class through the park district or a cooking class at a local gourmet cooking store. Join a small group at church, or find a special place to volunteer. Choose something that you will enjoy, that will make you feel satisfied, and that you will look forward to each week. If you are emotionally invested in the activity, you will be more committed long term.

Keep Cabin Fever to a Minimum
If you have children who are not yet regularly attending school, vow to have an activity at least once a week that gets you all out of the house, especially if you live in a cold winter climate. How about a weekly trip to the library to pick out a few new books or movies? Or a weekly play date with friends? A gym class to drain a bit of the kids' energy? Winter can seem endless, but if you have a plan to make it through a week at a time, you'll be swinging on the swings at the park before you know it.

Eliminate One Source of Stress in Your Life
Acknowledge one thing that stressed you out the most and plan to eliminate it in the year to come. What one item or activity distressed you the most? Was it your lack of control over household finances? The infrequency with which you and your husband got out together? The constant clutter in your home? Once identified, find a way to ensure that that "thing" doesn't bug you through the next year as well. Sit down and obtain a more accurate picture of your finances and monthly budget as well as a plan to ensure you're sticking with that budget. Find a sitter you can rely on to come once or twice a month. Or hire a housekeeper to clean every other week.

Read on for more resolutions.