Life

Courtesy of Ambrosia Brody

In 2017, This Mom Wants To Set An Example

by Kylie McConville

January is a month filled with resolutions. On the first day of the month, as each of us wave goodbye to the previous year, we make way for all the things we plan to do once we have a fresh slate. We ask ourselves, What will I do better this year? How will I do better? What do I want to change about myself? About my behaviors? How can I improve? Resolutions made by women by and large get a bad rap. At face value, it's so easy to assume they'll all be the same: I'm going to lose weight!; I'm going to wake up earlier!; I'll travel! but if you take a look deeper, you'll notice just how raw and real resolutions made by women — especially moms — are. They're complex, multi-layered, and they're also incredibly honest.

Mothers aren't just making resolutions for themselves. They're constantly factoring in how the things they do and say and believe will shape and influence their children. Though moms are faced with these types of decisions day in and day out, the new year provides an opportunity to look at the year as a whole and to consider all the things they plan to change and improve on. For 2017, Romper spoke to 31 different moms all over the country in an effort to highlight just how diverse, bold, and exciting their resolutions are.

Courtesy of Ambrosia Brody

Name: Ambrosia Brody

Age: 33

City and state: Fountain Valley, California

Occupation: Managing Editor

How hold are your kids?: 2 years old and 4 years old

What resolution do you think you're supposed to make? Why do you feel this way?: To learn patience and stop being so anxious. I'm constantly telling myself that I need to be more patient with myself and my kids and that I need to stop worrying about everything that's out of my control.

What's your actual resolution this year, and why?: Stop biting my nails and to find the good in not-so-great situations.

What's the one resolution you won't make again?: I've never really made resolutions other than to stop biting my nails. I plan to accomplish it this time!

What's one thing in your life you want to change but don't feel like you can?: I have at least three things I wish I could change but don't feel I can. The one that looms over everything is constantly worrying about everything, which leads to my feeling anxious and in turn, getting impatient.

I want my kids to see the good in bad situations so they can learn how to be positive and live their lives without fear.

What's one thing you did or didn't do last year that you forgive yourself for?: I started to put myself first again and began to start taking time away from my children to pursue other interests, such as writing for an hour at Starbucks on the weekends or taking a writing course.

Do you tell your kids your resolution?: Yes, because they are the reason why I am making these resolutions. They are the ones to tell me that I need to not bite my nails since I tell them the same thing when I see them doing it. I want them to see the good in situations so I want them to understand why I'm doing this and I plan to be vocal with my observations.

What specifically do you want for your kids this year?: I want them to value people and experiences, not material objects. I want my kids to see the good in bad situations so they can learn how to be positive and live their lives without fear.