If you’re like me, the thought of making New Year’s
resolutions isn’t very appealing. In the past, I used to come up with some
pretty lofty goals, only to leave them by the wayside two weeks later. So, a
few years ago I resolved not to make
resolutions. It just seemed easier that way – no guilt over neglected
resolutions and no explaining away my lack of willpower.
As I get older, I realize I should probably shoot for the
stars, try something new and resolve to get rid of a few, lingering bad habits.
But what if I fail, or forget, or just flat-out don’t follow through? Will I be
setting a bad example for my kids? These are things I never had to take into
account in my younger years.
stars, try something new and resolve to get rid of a few, lingering bad habits.
But what if I fail, or forget, or just flat-out don’t follow through? Will I be
setting a bad example for my kids? These are things I never had to take into
account in my younger years.
It’s sobering to realize that everything I do now is being
watched, analyzed, and stored away in my kids’ little brains. I don’t expect to
never make a misstep in front of them… quite the contrary. In fact, I often use
my mistakes as teaching tools to show them how to deal with imperfection. When
I mess up (which is often!), I do my best to apologize and explain my mistake. I am constantly telling my kids “I’m mistaking my way to success”†.
But, do I really need the added stress of making resolutions I don’t know if I
can keep?
watched, analyzed, and stored away in my kids’ little brains. I don’t expect to
never make a misstep in front of them… quite the contrary. In fact, I often use
my mistakes as teaching tools to show them how to deal with imperfection. When
I mess up (which is often!), I do my best to apologize and explain my mistake. I am constantly telling my kids “I’m mistaking my way to success”†.
But, do I really need the added stress of making resolutions I don’t know if I
can keep?
Well, I’ve decided it’s worth a try. After all, if I don’t
strive to better myself now, when will I do it? I want my kids to see that Mama
can put her mind to something and achieve it. So, here you go…I’m going to lay
myself on the line, bare my soul, and share my most inner faults. Here are my
resolutions for 2012…
strive to better myself now, when will I do it? I want my kids to see that Mama
can put her mind to something and achieve it. So, here you go…I’m going to lay
myself on the line, bare my soul, and share my most inner faults. Here are my
resolutions for 2012…
- Stop biting my nails (my biggest vice, by far)
- Take better care of myself – more sleep, better eating habits, and scheduled “me” time
- Nag my kids less
- Raise my voice less
I’m sure I could find more things to work on this year, but
I think I’ll stop at four – I don’t want to set myself up for failure!
And,
besides, I want to leave a few resolutions for next year. 😉
† Many thanks to parenting expert Alyson Schafer for this phrase… it’s very effective.
Great resolutions – I'm with you on all of them but biting nails – thankfully I don't have that habit. I'm also on board about not making true resolutions! Although I do secretly make some wishful goals for myself and vow to myself that I will try my best to make them happen. Take that for being non-commital!