20 Resolutions All Parents Should Make in 2019

Parents, are you living your best life? If the answer is no, consider this your intervention. With the New Year comes a fresh start and a chance to do things better, for yourself and for your family. Ring in the season of change with these empowering resolutions that will give your mind, body and spirit a much-deserved boost, making you a better parent and ultimately, a better person.

Every year, you say it (and you might even give it an honest effort before throwing in the towel), but 2019 is officially the year of reclaiming your health. The trick? Throw away your preconditioned ideas about weight and clothing size, and focus on being truly healthy. That means exercising to keep your heart and mind active, eating a mostly healthy diet (with the occasional indulgence) and taking care of your mental health to help remove roadblocks to your success.

If you regularly use the word "chaos" to describe your family's daily life, then let us introduce you to the magic of a day planner for 2019. Having a set daily schedule that includes waking up, meals, activities, appointments, bedtime and more, will help your family operate like a well-oiled machine. While adapting to a new schedule can initially be rough, once everyone adjusts, the chaos will give way to calm and comfort.

Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see," and we're saying, "Be the adult you want your children to grow into." That means no texting while driving, always curbing your road rage, staying informed about current events, practicing self-love, showing kindness to others and making an effort to do good in the world. Children learn from what they see, not from what they're told. As parents, it's up to us to show them what it means to be a healthy person.

We're specifically talking to you, moms. It takes a village to raise a family, and that means you deserve help on this journey through parenthood. Pretending you can do it all only hurts you and, inevitably, your family because it leaves you emotionally and mentally depleted. Whether it's asking your spouse to take over the chores or hiring an extra set of hands to give you a break, you deserve the help and should resolve to ask for it in 2019 (and beyond).

Disagreeing and negotiating are normal parts of any relationship, but arguments that involve raised voices, anger and door-slamming aren't. Worse, they're emotionally damaging to children. Make 2019 the year you and your significant other cease fire in front of the kids, including within earshot of them. While it's OK for children to see parents work out their differences in a calm, rational manner, witnessing them fighting can cause lasting anxiety, depression and even childhood aggression.

Remember back when life wasn't so stressful and finding joy in the simple things was an easy escape? It's time to invoke that spirit of happiness once more. Let 2019 be the year you accept that things aren't always going to be perfect, mistakes (and messes) will be made and that sometimes, all you can do is laugh about it. Besides, laughter stimulates your organs and increases your oxygen, making it totally medicinal.

Have you ever heard the saying "You can't draw from an empty well"? Our elders knew that in life there's a balance of giving and receiving that's crucial to keep things flowing. Parents are no different. The daily burden of being responsible for our families can leave us depleted. In order to replenish, it's important we take time for ourselves to relax and reflect. Doing so isn't selfish; it's healthy and enables us to be our best selves for our kids and significant others.

Admit it, moms: You're usually the one taking pictures and rarely the one smiling for the camera. Whether it's because you don't feel as beautiful as your kids think you are, or you have naturally taken on the role of family photographer, you're only doing your children and future generations a disservice. Let go of your personal hangups in 2019, and make sure you're taking lots of pictures with your family. They deserve (and really want) photo memories of you throughout the years.

There was a time, before children, when you and your significant other prioritized your romance. Like every couple, responsibilities and real life took over, making it harder to find time to revel in the fireworks of your love. Let 2019 be the year you rediscover that once-passionate romance. Whether it takes hiring a sitter for date nights, or working small gestures of love into your everyday life, you can rekindle the sparks that once made your marriage burn bright.

Repeat after us: Everyone makes mistakes, and life is about learning from those mistakes. Stop beating yourself up for your faults and imperfections, and make 2019 about believing you can do and be better. Habitual guilt serves no one, but resolving to grow from a mistake does. It's important to remember that there is no such thing as perfect and that the people who love you can see (and will appreciate) when you're trying to fix a problem rather than dwell on it.

When we're in the thick of parenting, sometimes we get weighed down by the day-to-day responsibilities and forget to notice the magic of childhood. Let 2019 be the year we revel in the joy of our children's youth and our role as their guide, mentor and protector throughout their lives. Before we know it, our kids will be grown and we'll be aching for a chance to enjoy the short window of time we had to enjoy them as children.

Whether you spend most of your time parenting (while yearning for a professional life) or you're bogged down by your career and wish you had more time with your family, 2019 is the year to find your balance. Set boundaries for yourself and stick to them. That might mean no checking work emails during home hours or having dedicated time each day where your focus is on nurturing your career. You'll find you enjoy your family time more and are more productive at work, which is better for everyone.

No matter how old you are, learning is a powerful way to keep your mind sharp and active. Make each day of 2019 about expanding your knowledge. Read books. Research interesting topics. Finish your degree. Visit museums. Be a sponge for facts and information, and teach your kids that being smart is the coolest thing ever.

Doling out empty disciplinary threats is so 2018. Let the New Year bring you a new resolve to follow through with consequences when your child misbehaves. Once they learn you mean what you say, they'll be more likely to behave, which helps you keep your cool. An easy way to implement this resolution is to determine realistic consequences for different misbehaviors ahead of time that you can stick to whether you're at home or out and about.

Listening attentively isn't as easy as it sounds. Kids and spouses deserve our attention and interaction regularly, but all too often, we tune them out. Make a concerted effort in 2019 to be a better listener to your family members. That means no interrupting, always giving them your full attention, asking questions, reaffirming what they've said and responding to them appropriately. Your spouse and children will feel more connected to you and most important, they'll feel heard.

This is the year of financial freedom. While it might seem impossible, you can pay off your debts with persistence and discipline. One of the easiest ways is to use the "Snowball Method," which focuses on your smallest debt and encourages you to put as much extra money as you can on top of the monthly payment, allowing you to pay it off sooner. Once that debt is paid, you take that monthly payment and roll it into your next debt, until all your credit cards and loans are paid.

No, we're not telling you to go skydiving (although you totally could), but we are telling you to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things. It's so easy for us to get into a rut and live the same life as if we're stuck in a rerun. Make 2019 the year you start to live outside the lines by pushing yourself to try things you've always been curious about and keeping an open mind about things you haven't. You might just find new interests, friends and ideas that make life a lot more interesting.

Remember when you were young, and play time came naturally? As parents, playing can sometimes feel like a chore, especially when we're sleep-deprived and have a million responsibilities on our shoulders. Let 2019 be the year you rediscover your love of play time. Not only will it benefit your children, but it can also help you tap back into your own sense of joy and creativity.

There's a real problem with family time in 2018. Hanging out together these days usually includes smartphones, tablets and laptops for our individual entertainment. While technology has brought us so many innovations and opportunities to learn, it's also dimmed the light on family time. Make a resolution in 2019 to put down your devices and spend authentic time together, actually interacting with one another. The result? You'll make more meaningful memories and help your children become better socialized.

While social media friendships can provide a digital boost, having an actual group of supportive friends and family members is so much better for our mental well-being. One important resolution for 2019 is reclaiming your real-life relationships and making an effort to meet with them, in person, on a regular basis. If you don't know anyone, joining a group (such as a book club) can help you meet new people. The end result? You'll be happier, healthier and have something fun to look forward to.