Remember January? I don’t mean last January, but every single January since the beginning of time. That vigor. That determination. That certainty. The drive that guarantees that this will be the year that you: quit smoking… start exercising… stop overspending… get straight A’s… stop eating fast food… You know, stop blanking and start blanking. It’s the perfect time to start. You already need to engage in the battle of writing a new numeric year, why not embrace yet another more life-altering challenge at the same time?
For me, September is January, minus the snow removal. It’s a new school year. It’s time to set goals and look ahead and join a gym, (well not me personally, but someone out there might actually like to go to a gym…). September is a time to make new promises.
This year I’ll join the Parent Teacher Association. The PTA is a good way to meet other parents in your child’s school. It’s a way to connect with teachers and administrators and show your kids that their school is important to you.
This year I’ll focus on building and maintaining good study habits with my son. I’ll try to recognize my own procrastinating tendencies and squash them like a bug. Life is much easier when you plan out your activities in advance and not cram them into the 32 seconds you have before your deadline. Please let my children embrace this concept. Please.
This year, I’ll not over-schedule myself or my kids. I’ll strive for a balance between activities and downtime.
This year I’ll learn to go to sleep early so as to rise rested and ready in the morning.
This year I’ll go out on dates with my husband. I’ll talk and share and listen and laugh.
This year I’ll embrace the idea of “afterschooling.” This process will include following my children’s interests and growing our knowledge together.
This year I’ll invest in my friendships. I’ll make time to be with those friends who are important to me. I’ll share and I’ll listen.
This year I’ll finally drop those pesky 15 lbs that have embraced my middle. I’ll walk again.
And you? What are your resolutions?
[tags] new year’s resolutions, setting goals, homeschooling, afterschooling, family balance, parenting, parents, kids, children, [/tags]
Photo graciously provided by Carol Esther, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved
7 responses so far ↓
Stu Mark // Sep 5, 2007 at 6:43 pm
I resolve to be less of a bastard.
Sincerely. I need to ease off the pedal of the Parenting Police squad car. Kids aren’t pets, they are roommates that lack certain experience. Sure, I need to make sure they keep peaceful and get good grades and don’t do hard drugs or whatever, but other than that, I really do need to chill.
Melissa // Sep 6, 2007 at 11:18 am
Oh, stu, I doubt very much about the bastard part.
I resolve to play more with my kids. They are happier people, more willing to wash their hands and take their places at the dinner table when I ask, after a good round of playing.
And if that means bath is 15 minutes late, so be it.
Thanks for the thoughful column, Meg
Chantal Hubert // Sep 7, 2007 at 6:02 am
This year, I’ve resolved to schedule less. My rule so far has been “No Saturday or Sunday” activities. We need family time and my idea of family time is not yelling at them as we drive to dance/soccer/whatever.
Stu Mark // Sep 7, 2007 at 11:23 am
Melissa: Total Bastard.
“Please do your homework now.”
“Please stop hitting your sister.”
“Please don’t pull at the dog’s tail.”
“Please turn off the tv and find a book or something.”
Really, ask my kids, they’ll agree: Stu is a right bastard.
Megin Hatch // Sep 7, 2007 at 11:46 am
Playing more, scheduling less…. I love you guys. Thanks for participating.
Umm, Stu, friend… when did they change the definition of bastard? Sound to me like you’re describing a responsible parent! Please, share how you’ll change, and why…
Stu Mark // Sep 7, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Ok, because Meg asked nice, I’m gonna be serious:
I am a Parenting fanatic, in a religious fervor way. I listen to the happenings in the house with a radar that would impress NASA. As such, I jump on every moment of less-than-perfect behavior.
Sure, kids need parents. But I just don’t really let stuff slide. And that’s my New Year’s resolution, to ease up a bit and let more stuff slide. Didn’t put the dishes in the dishwasher before you went to school, ok, no big deal. Waited until the last minute to remind me, a non-milk user, that we need Skim for tomorrow’s breakfast, ok, no big deal. That’s what I’m talking about. I need to follow Ann Bancroft’s advice in “Point Of No Return” – smile and say, “I never did mind about the little things. “
The Not Quite Crunchy Parent // Sep 9, 2007 at 5:48 am
Megin – I’m starting afterschooling too as my DS starts kindergarten – after one week, I realize just how much “afterschooling’ just getting homework done means – .
My resolution is to consider, not just blindly follow my DS’s education – seems to me already that there is too much homework!
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