5 realistic resolutions

Stay-at-home moms can keep it real, Jennifer Pinarski says.

1 Update your resumé

Returning to work may not be a top priority, but an updated resumé — or, at the very least, a LinkedIn profile — should be on your list of resolutions. When my husband lost his job, I found myself scrambling to reconnect with old references and fill in the gaps on my resumé. You never know when you might need it, and the exercise is a great way to see where your skillset stands in the job market.

2 Just say no

Volunteering is great, but if you’re like me, you can feel burnt out when you agree to take on more projects than you should. Step back and look at where your skills are most needed and take a pass on opportunities where you know there will be plenty of other helping hands already.

3 Give up the mom guilt

When I didn’t work, I felt guilty about not earning an income. When I started working part-time, I felt bad about that, too. I yell at my husband too much and both kids’ baby scrapbooks aren’t completed. Guaranteed, you’ve got something that is making you feel bad about yourself. Perhaps letting go of the guilt entirely might be easier said than done. At a minimum, figure out if your mom guilt is serving any useful purpose. If not, shrug it off (or try to).

4 Invest in yourself

When was the last time you took a course to learn a new skill, made a contribution to your own RRSP or even just spent time meditating or exercising? Time or money spent on just you isn’t selfish — it’s money well spent.

5 Have more fun

When was the last time you had a snowball fight, cannonball contest or let your kids tickle you silly? Having fun and playing with my kids isn’t something I’m always good at (or sometimes even like doing), but I’ve been trying much harder to laugh and have fun with them. It means that I clean my house even less, but the payoff is priceless.