Working Parents Round-up: What will 2014 bring?

It is a new year; and so this is the time of resolutions, and new starts; what will 2014 bring to us all?

For me; I have a word that I am going to be trying to have a better relationship with in 2014; DISCIPLINE.

That isn’t the leather and whips kind of discipline *stop sniggering in the corner* I actually mean having more of it in many parts of my life. Learning to say no to people, stopping myself from working every spare minute, not using my iPhone all the time when the kids are about. The list goes on and on….

Over on Stickers, Stars and Smiles this month; I was actually rather keen to give my boobs more discipline; pop on over there and see why. My boobs have suffered from me being a working mum. I don’t give myself enough time for sorting myself out…

We are also talking boobs on KiddyCharts as well this month. More specifically, a hangout about how to move from breast to bottle less painfully. If you are going back to work this may well be something that you are having to consider in the next few weeks. Alternatively, you may have a toddler that you are looking to wean. Either way, the post might help with this particularly new start.

Other working parents out there are approaching 2014 with less emphasis on cleavage…thank goodness…

The Diary or a Frugal Family has given us a few ideas of what we can do with the kids this year; as one of the areas of my life I want to be more disciplined about is spending quality time with my kids, then this is a great list for me. I hope it is for you too. Stuntboy has already decided that for the “Learn to play an instrument”; he would very much like a guitar…not sure the world is ready for that yet…

Chez Mummy is on a mission to encourage reading in 2014; and has a helpful list of books to include: we shall definitely be taking some of this on board. Though, Roald Dahl has always been a favourite with us, some of the other recommendations have passed me by.

Taming the Goblin is focusing on her weight in 2014 and I am sure that there are a few of you out there that are going to be doing this too. Perhaps discipline for you will be not having that cake at Costas after all?

Birds on the Blog have taken a different angle to the “New Year, New Me” mantra…they like the old me, so won’t be trying to change her too much at all!

WitWitWoo was made redundant a few months ago, but has been in a her new job for a few weeks. 2014 is starting in a very different place for her. Her flexible working routine seems to be working though, and clearly it is for Dexter, her boy. *punches air*

Whatever your focus for 2014, perhaps Mum and Career with their list of 80 tips for working mums (and very possibly dads) might be able to help out. There are some thoughtful articles offered, and some excellent tips around anything from continuing to breastfeed, to managing your time more effectively.

Hopefully, this list will provide you with some inspiration for change in 2014. If it doesn’t then it is perhaps worth turning to the Best of Two Sisters photography blog. She has some beautiful photographs of her children and talks eloquently in her latest post about how that inspiration can hit you in waves. Here is to hoping it laps everyone’s toes just when they need it to in 2014.

Finally, Finding Joy has written a wonderful post about the six truths of motherhood that we should never forget no matter where we find ourselves, and how difficult our days seem to be. For all those new beginning, starts, and resolutions; we would do well to remember that if things don’t work out how we expect them to there is always something else around the corner; and you WILL get through it.

Perhaps positivity should have been our word for 2014 instead?

About Helen Neale

Helen is the editor of the working parents round up, a freelance writer and owner of personalised children's chart business, KiddyCharts. She was a business analyst, and then a tweed-skirted school librarian as she tried to find work that fitted in with the demands of motherhood. Mummy's Little Stars is where you will find her sometimes funny musings about life as a working parent, and mum to some over exuberant small people. She has only been blogging since January 2012, so go gentle with her; she might break. You can find Helen on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn; where she probably hangs out a bit too much.

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