1. Accept your new body. We all know that pregnancy and motherhood change things. Especially the way things…um, sit. What once was high and firm and perky is now…well, not so high and maybe not so firm and definitely not so perky. BUT! Your body once had ANOTHER PERSON in it. Very cool, I think. Accepting your body (flaws and all) is simply giving it the respect it deserves.
2. Learn the fine art of budgeting.It’s not hard, really. (Go visit my friend Arlice at A Woman’s Worth – she’ll teach you. ) You’ve got to get your finances under control by this point in your life. Know what comes in, what’s going out and how to maximize what’s left over! (Check out my book if you need more pointers.) Financial stability is vital for your kids, and getting your money in order is a great step in that direction.
3. Become (just a little bit more) secure in your mommy skills. I’m not saying you always know what you are doing every day, but I’m sure you feel a little more confident that if the kids come running to you for something, that you are able to handle it. I remember cringing every time my six-month-old daughter cried because I wasn’t sure what she wanted and I couldn’t handle failing once again. (My daughter had a look she’d give me, as in, “You idiot. You fail as my mommy!”) But slowly, I l learned how to soothe her. Now I handle most problems with ease.
4. Establish a weekly routine of doing something just for you. It doesn’t matter what it is. If you enjoy knitting or bowling or swimming or exercising, do what feels good for you. Not something that will in some way directly benefit the kids (such as learning to sew so you can patch clothes or something), but something that brings joy to you and you alone. A happy mommy is a better mommy. Always remember that.
5. Master “the look” or whatever means of discipline you use to keep your kids in line. Right now, my kids are pretty good. I can usually shoot them a look, or ask if they need to go upstairs and they’ll usually get right back in line.
6. Find that one “mommy friend” who always, always, always has your back. Yes, she can be childless, but it’s a bonus if she knows exactly where you’re been.
7. Learn how to cook. You don’t have to become a gourmet chef, but you have to develop an arsenal of basic recipes and at least one WOW! dish that makes people think you can throw down in the kitchen with anyone.
7. Take a vacay by yourself – even if its just a weekend or an overnight trip. Leave the kids with the husband, or drop the kids off with Grandma, and go somewhere just for you. Bring your coziest robe, order some room service and watch a movie in bed. Let someone else do the cooking for a change! Put away $10 a month in your “I’m doing this for ME” bank account until you have enough to go.
8. Have a clear vision of what you want your life to look like for the next 10-15 years. I know having my kids wasn’t planned. The life I thought I would be leading right now has long been shattered to bits and it was taken me a minute to get back on track. Around 30, I will be able to look back at where I’ve been, and have clear goals for where I want to be.
9. Spend your days focused on the things that really matter. Family.
So what’s one of your personal goals to achieve before you turn 30? Let me know in the comments!
LOVE THIS!!!! Great advice! I have already started on 3 of the things. This was a great posting!
I have mastered all of these except I refuse to go on a vacation alone. I won’t do it until every one of my kids turn 18. It’s just the way I am. Oh snap, I am 37!!! hahaha!!
@Shelly – Not even a night in a hotel (one night) by yourself? You are doing the most. 😉
Before I am 30 I need to be Closer to God and have enough money for my business and family.
I love your ideas here–especially the “I’m doing me” fund
One of my personal “before 30” goals is to have enough money saved to where I can take a year off and churn at my writing like I want to. I am easily destracted so the demands of family and a full time job don’t leave me with much time to devote to my writing like I want to.
Love this over and over… my faves are no. 1, 4 and 8! One of my personal goals to achieve by 30 is to grow closer to Christ and to create a ‘church family’ for our daughter to add to her loving family network. xx
At 27, I really needed this reminder! I still need to master 4 of the 9 that you have up there, so thanks for focusing my thinking!
This is great…Think I need to print it off and post it up somewhere…That mommy-only trip sounds like a dream…
This is my first stop @your blog and I like it! :o) I’m a student, mom, writer, etc as well and well….yeah. Anyway I actually write down 20 or so measurable goals each year.
But this year I was sort of stuck and just wrote goals for through the fall (like increase readership, take kids to waterpark). I’m sure inspiration will strike around my birthday and I finish the year with a bang. :o)
P.S. My 30 y/o goal is to run a marathon (13miles) and publish a childrens’ book.
Lovely blog, you’re definitely bookmarked!!
Thank you so much for this advice. I am 24, have a 5 mo old and another on the way. I have recently discovered that I do not like being a SAHM. I plan to go back to school by the time I am 30.
Really good advice, I’ve kinda got the Mom Eye down working on bettering the budget and planning (and working on) the 5 year plan before 30! OMG remember when 30 was far far away??
Dear Tara
My name is kumba I am 18 year i’m spectated my frist kids. Because Unexpected Surprise I stop focus on my education And my goal. My personal goal to achieve is having my high school diploma and going to university study social worker . After finished university , open my own business company .