Make a resolution? And win REN bath oil

Make a resolution? And win REN bath oil
Monday, January 4th, 2010

2010 - the decade of being angelic?

I’ve been thinking a lot about New Year’s Resolutions.

Trying to turn my life around in January is too depressing to contemplate. There’s a lot I probably should change, but why start what should be a lovely, fresh new year with undone health regimes and early bedtimes? If I haven’t done more than two jogs around the park the previous year, the chances of going twice a week this have got to be non-existent.

In short, why start the the new year (and in this case, the decade) a failure?

As a family, we eat fairly healthily, walk instead of drive when we can, make compost and try not to leave too many lights on. We’re neither saints nor sinners, but could try a lot harder. Supernanny’s tips on her website include making the children tidy up their toys, eat at least one fruit and one vegetable every day, and be nice to other children. Which doesn’t seem too onerous, but did get me thinking about getting the children in on the New Year clean slate act. If mummy could try a bit harder, so can they. But I hate laying down the law without giving good, clear reasons why the law makes sense. Some things are rational: ‘If the Lego gets left all over the floor, it gets sucked into the Hoover, breaks it, and will never be seen again’. Others less so – why would a three-year-old understand that walking to nursery in the rain is better for him, the environment, and, er, mum’s parking space right outside the door?

Oxfam has an entire pack for teachers on New Year Resolutions, and suggests encouraging children to look at the bigger picture by focusing on resolutions that will change the impact they make on their local, national and international community. Which is obviously a good thing, so maybe I could find a way of making my brood realise that few children are lucky enough to have so many presents that they’re still opening them after Boxing Day.

A friend does something creative with her annual resolution, as she puts it, something ‘positive, instead of the instantly doom-ridden task of giving up Pinot’. In 2010, she’s taking a photo a day with the aim of creating an album of the year on 1 January 2011. I wish her luck. Another is insisting her husband cooks once a week. Given his entire culinary oeuvre beings and ends with eggs, whether scrambled, boiled or – on one memorable occasion – made into an omelette with raw onion, I wish her luck, too.

Rose-tinted (and scented) 2010, anyone?

I’d love some positive Resolutions, so wondered what you’re up to. There’s even a prize for the most inspiring, a glorious Moroccan Rose bath oil, worth £25.50, from those delightfully scented natural skincare experts at REN. Just leave your Resolution in the comments box, below.

21 Responses to “Make a resolution? And win REN bath oil”

nappyvalleygirl says:

January 4, 2010 at 18:22

Oooh. I love REN, does the offer still stand if I’m in the US?

I probably shouldn’t reveal this but my resolution is to start writing a book. I’ve been meaning to do it for years, and now I have time on my hands and very little work going on, I really have no excuse.
Granta says:

January 4, 2010 at 18:41

I learnt to swim one year (I know, mad that I’d never learnt, but it somehow passed me by). So I’m a fan of resolutions because they can galvanise you into action. This year I’m going to learn how to make sauces, things I’ve been scared to tackle, such as hollandaise and bearnaise. So not difficult (I hope) and should make for a delicious decade!
Brit In Bosnia says:

January 4, 2010 at 20:54

With a possible short term full time consultancy job on the horizon, my resolution if I get it will be getting through the next couple of months in one piece. Does that count?

I have a friend who doesn’t do resolutions but who has a word for the year – things like – calm, balance, core. I quite like that approach.

I haven’t ever tried any REN but hate all the bath stuff here, so count me in (can provide a London address if needed!)

Happy New Year, and I’m off to check out the Oxfamwebsite now. x
Ali at Green Baby says:

January 4, 2010 at 21:20

Hmm REN eh? super . . . so . . . .NY Resolutions? How many do you need?
1) Start doing Yoga again; (it’s been ages – not sure I can still touch my toes!)
2) Acknowledge that we only get one crack at life – and to put family before work (hmmm, struggle with that one a bit as I love my work with Green Baby so much!)
3) Pull my weight a bit more at home – in the kitchen, to give my lovely SAHD a break
4) Not get stressed when my BABY-models pull out of my photo shoot two weeks beforehand, and I have to try and persuade some more to do it for the love of Green Baby! X

And I promise to do at least one of the four!

Lots of Love and Happy New Year from Ali at Green Baby
A
x
angels&urchinsblog says:

January 4, 2010 at 22:08

Nappy Valley Girl – of course the offer still stands if you’re in the US! Really fab that you’re going to get going on the novel; can we be the first to review it? Unless, well, someone like the TLS get there first. But first dibs to us!

Granta – Well done on becoming a water baby, and yum to a year of cooking. Sounds very Julia&Julia; make sure you write about your exploits.

Brit in Bosnia – Love the thought of a word for the year. Bit like an abbreviated mantra to get you through. Best of luck with the job, and REN is gorgeous, one of those super natural brands that smells heavenly because it’s packed with real stuff.

Ali – You sound as though you’ve had a busy 2009. Heck, that reminds me about yoga, not to mention priorities. And if you ever need a baby model, am sure I can find you one!
Ali at Green Baby says:

January 4, 2010 at 22:13

thanks honey, I might take you up on that!
A
xx
Kirsten says:

January 4, 2010 at 22:17

To start carring a donor card and give blood, I have no excuse not to but just not got around to it, I am not proud of this fact and yet any of us may one day need the selfless gift of life.
I know I am not the only one but at least I would be one!
SarahKay says:

January 4, 2010 at 22:24

to beat the depression that dragged me down at the end of last year – for the sake of my health and my family.
Catriona says:

January 4, 2010 at 22:25

My resolution is not to give anything up but to take up something new.
I’m going to learn a new skill or enjoy a new experience – exact details still to be confirmed!
Also, every day I will do something differently – even if it’a just to put the milk in before the hot water when making my tea, getting dressed before twittering or telling my husband I love him in a different language!
SandyCalico says:

January 4, 2010 at 23:07

My main New Year resolution is to be a better mother. More specifically I want to enjoy spending time with my children, I want to entertain them and make their day fun. I’m fed up of shouting at them. We had a lovely day today, loads of cuddles and books and playing. Let’s hope I can keep it up!
Nicky Russell says:

January 5, 2010 at 11:22

My resolution is to stop nagging my hubby and children. That’ll be the hardest resolution i ever had to stick to
angels&urchinsblog says:

January 5, 2010 at 11:28

Kirsten – I knew something was nagging at the back of my mind, and it’s definitely the donor card. Have added to my ‘to do’ list.

SarahKay – Best of luck beating the depression demon.

Catriona – Great idea to make little changes. Off to make a cup of Green Tea instead of my usual strong Tetley with milk. And aaah, love you in a different language, so sweet. Though I can imagine my strivings in Mandarin might cause husband to splutter rather than be amoureux back!

Sandy – Having read your blog, don’t think you’ve any worries on the good mother front. But yes to having fun with them rather than friction.

Nicky – is it nagging or constructive criticism? I always pretend I’m doing the latter…
shirley harpley says:

January 5, 2010 at 11:30

My resolution is to give myself a bit more attention this year. I’ve spent so much time looking after my family and elderly father and have negletcted myself. I’m overweight with dull skin and need a good haircut. I’m going to smarten up my act!
Handpicked says:

January 5, 2010 at 12:06

I love New Year Resolutions, but not sure why because I never really stick to them. But this year will be different. I’m going to walk to work every day (apart from when it’s raining) instead of getting the boring bus. It takes 25 minutes, and takes me over one of London’s iconic bridges.
Susan Nisar says:

January 5, 2010 at 13:41

My resolution is to join a gym and slim down…but I’m going to wait until Feb to give the resolution joiners a chance to give up first!
Melissa says:

January 5, 2010 at 18:53

Last year my new year resolution was to make time for me – and look where I ended up! Sailing across the Atlantic. This year I’m giving resolutions a bit of a wide berth. Although I am going to try really really hard to cut down on drinking wine (so often). I’d like to say that I’ll be more affectionate and loving to my husband but so far the year hasn’t started off well after we had a lovely argument last night. Joy!

And once I summon up the energy, I do want to try and kick off my ‘Feed a mouth, not a bin’ campaign (on my blog if you missed it) but right now I’m just going to take it easy-ish. Perhaps my resolution should be doing nothing!
maria says:

January 5, 2010 at 21:56

My new year resolution is to enjoy every minute of it without feeling guilty when I take time off my busy day and to travel with my family to places we have not yet visited.
angels&urchinsblog says:

January 6, 2010 at 14:31

Susan – Good luck with the fitness regime, but don’t put off joining so long you miss out on those January offers.

Melissa – Just read about your ‘Feed a mouth, not a bin’ and here’s the link for anyone reading this who might be interested: http://bit.ly/8WVYg0. Forget that whole give up wine thing, it makes January even worse that it usually is. And the best part of arguments is making up, so no worries there either.

Maria – Ooh yes, here’s to enjoying time off rather than using it to compile lists of what needs to be done.
21st Century Mummy says:

January 10, 2010 at 19:14

I live in jeans and trainers. So one of my resolutions is to ditch the slummy mummy look and start looking and feeling more of a yummy mummy! So far so good.
21st Century Mummy says:

January 10, 2010 at 19:18

Oh, and the other one is to spend one hour a week for mummy only time. It doesn’t sound much, but it’s more than I have been doing. Off to a good start as I went to the Intercontinental Spa in London this weekend with a friend.
angels&urchinsblog says:

January 10, 2010 at 22:03

21st Century Mum – me too, as soon as this darned snow and ice clears! And what a fab sounding weekend, though hope it doesn’t mean that you’ve now used up enough ‘weekly hours’ so that you don’t get any more the rest of the year!

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