Life

A woman posing for a photo while holding her belly
Courtesy of Steph Montgomery

What This Mom Thinks Of Losing The Baby Weight

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 Steph Montgomery

Name: Steph Montgomery

Age: 38

City and state: Bennet, Nebraska

Occupation: Writer and Nonprofit Consultant

How old are your kids?: 4, 6, 7, and 10 years old. I'm also 33 weeks pregnant

I forgive myself for not always being a perfect mom.

What resolution do you think you're supposed to make? Why do you feel this way?: I'm supposed to want to lose the baby weight after I have my baby who's due on February, 14. Society puts tremendous pressure on moms to lose their baby weight right away and achieve impossible standards of perfection.

What's your actual resolution this year, and why?: My resolution is to not stress out about my labor and delivery, to try to really enjoy maternity leave this time, and to not freak about being a mom to five kids!

What's the one resolution you won't make again?: Losing weight.

What's one thing in your life you want to change but don't feel like you can?: President Trump and the fact that I live in a red state.

What's one thing you did or didn't do last year that you forgive yourself for?: I forgive myself for not always being a perfect mom.

Do you tell your kids your resolution? Why or why not?: No, it's not really something they will understand.

What specifically do you want for your kids this year?: For them to be happy and feel loved.