8 Resolutions for Birth Mothers in 2021

The start of a new year means a fresh start. For many, New Year’s is a time to reflect on the past year and consider resolutions and goals for the year ahead. The year 2020 was a tough one, but there is hope for a better year ahead.

No matter what challenges 2020 brought you, now is the time to lift your head and look forward. You deserve happiness, success, and love. Whether you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, you placed your child for adoption this year, or you became a birth mother years ago, you may be struggling this time of year. The holidays can be a challenging time for expectant/birth mothers. 2020 may have hit different, but that is why these resolutions are needed more than ever. Keep in mind that you are a strong, brave, and selfless woman. Adoptions With Love will always honor your adoption choice, now and for many years to come. Also keep in mind that adoption means PLANNING for your child. Not giving up.

As we say goodbye to 2020 (good riddance!) – we can look ahead to brighter days. We have gathered 8 resolutions that you may want to claim as your own in 2021. Whether you choose one or the whole list, you can choose to take charge of the year ahead. Read on, as we share some of the top resolutions for birth mothers.

1. Prioritize Self-Care

It can be tough to make time for yourself, but it is important to show yourself some love. Make it a point to set some time aside each day to take care of yourself. Even if that means 10 minutes of something, showing up for yourself is crucial for your overall well-being. There are many specific resolutions you can make for self-care, such as:

• Read for a few minutes each day. A study from the University of Sussex found that reading for just six minutes a day can reduce stress by 68 percent.
• Get plenty of sleep. It helps restore your energy, reduce stress, and improve your mood.
• Drink more water. Most of us do not get enough water! Hydration can help promote overall wellness and improve our physical health.
• Practice mindfulness. This is all about being present and having awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. Whether you choose to meditate, take deep breaths, or check in with yourself each day, practicing mindfulness can help lower stress and improve health and wellness.
• Take a daily walk or run. Just a little bit of movement and a break away from work and social media can make a big difference.
• Try Journaling. You may not have kept a diary in years – or ever! – but jotting down your thoughts and feelings each day can be a great way to show up for yourself. It can also help you sort through your emotions and clear your head.

2. Set Goals/Make Plans for your Future

You have the power to motivate yourself this year. As we enter 2021, think about what you have always dreamed of doing. Perhaps you want to go back to school or pursue your passion with a new career. Whatever you really want for your future, make plans to get closer to your goals. Follow through by taking baby steps to start. Starting small is best. For example, if you want to start a college or a certificate program, simply sign up for a class or semester. If you start early and start small, you can start to see progress by the end of 2021.

3. Strengthen Your Relationship with Your Child/Adoptive Family

If you are pregnant and making an adoption plan for your child, you should remind yourself of all the reasons you are taking this path. You are choosing to give your child a better life than you can provide at this time. Planning for your child’s life is a brave thing to do. However, you are still an important part of his story. If you have chosen open adoption, remember that you can continue to build that bond with your child’s adoptive family and, depending on your arrangement, with your child as well. You can connect by phone, email, or whatever communication method you have agreed upon, or send a gift to show your love.

4. Strengthen Other Relationships in Your Life

Having a strong support system is important, especially if you are an expectant/birth mother coping with feelings of loss during the holiday season. Connecting with loved ones is tricky during a global pandemic. We have seen more of our families on FaceTime, Zoom, and Skype or talking on the phone, rather than in-person. It is still important to connect with friends and family, even if it is on a digital platform. Make it a priority to continue these conversations and, when it is safe to do so, gather in person for more laughter and support in your life.

5. Make Time for Your Mental Health

Just as it is important to take the time for self-care, it is also important to check in with yourself and allow yourself the space to keep up with your own mental health. If you need to some support, the counselors at Adoptions With Love are always available to chat. We encourage you to continue with professional counseling after you make and adoption plan.  Our phone lines are open 24/7, so that you can always call for help.

6. Share Your Adoption Story

This one can be hard for some birth mothers, so please do what feels right. Many brave women have taken to the internet to share their adoption story, and it has helped many other women in the same position. Think about how scared you were when you first learned of your pregnancy. If you can, take the time to share your adoption story on social media or in a support group. Your words can make a big impact for someone who is grappling with the difficult decision to place her baby for adoption.

7. Spread Kindness

You may find small moments to spread kindness and joy to others. You can even spread kindness by helping loved ones. Whether you help a relative or friend move, or just make a phone call to someone to brighten their day, there are always opportunities for spreading kindness, and this can be the perfect resolution to channel your energy toward something that will spread joy around you.

8. Choose Happiness

Last, but certainly not least, now is the chance for you to have a fresh new outlook on life and yourself. It is normal to grieve your adoption decision, but it is also important to remember all  the positives of your choice. It is normal to miss your child that you made an adoption plan for, but remember why you made the plan. You are a strong person and brave woman deserving of  a great future. It is important that you celebrate your adoption decision and celebrate you as a person and a mother. You have chosen to put your child’s best interests first. So, you can make it your mission to look for something to bring happiness to you and your future ahead.

The New Year’s resolution at Adoption With Love is always to continue better supporting you. That means we are here for you any time of day, any day of the week. Never hesitate to reach out to us with questions or concerns. Call us at 800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072, or contact us online.