Parenting goals: eight New Year's resolutions a mum should make

Maybe – after days of excess – you're thinking about getting healthier in 2017. Or perhaps you want to take up a new hobby. Or get out of the habit of cracking open those bottles of mid-week wine. 

However, if you're a mum, you should also consider making parenting resolutions that will have a REAL difference on your child's wellbeing.

Here are eight to consider…

1. Read more together:

You should be sitting down with a book together with your child at least once a day. If you're not already doing so, bedtime is an ideal opportunity to establish good reading habits. 

2. Spend more time outdoors:

Cold, wet, dark winters don't exactly encourage outdoor play – but we should be doing more of it. So pull on coats and hats, and step outside.

3. Do more arts and crafts:

So much involves a screen these days; tablets, TVs, and phones. Get back to basics with the same arts and crafts activities that we all enjoyed as kids in the Eighties. No technology required!

4. Stop making comparisons:

From your own parenting skills to your child's performance at school, it's all too tempting to compare yourself and them with others. It's pointless – so make 2017 the year you stop it.

5. Patience is a virtue:

By their nature, kids want everything immediately – but teaching them patience is a valuable life-skill. Simply taking a time-out by sitting quietly and practising breathing techniques or light meditation for a few moments can make a real difference. 

6. Ask for help:

Most mums are master jugglers – but you need to know too when enough is enough. Learn to ask for help when you need it – and learn to say no when it's just not possible to take on yet another responsibility. 

7. Be present:

If you find you're glued to your phone around your kids, you're not the only one. Still, make 2017 the year you put it away for set, designated times so your family isn't fighting for your attention.

8. Look after yourself more:

Many mums struggle to put this in place – but looking after yourself is by extension also a way of ensuring the health and well-being of the entire household.