I often say that I think of the New Year as a time to set goals rather than resolutions. My goals change every year. Sometimes a goal gets renewed for another year. But the most important thing is taking the time to evaluate and see how I can create the best life possible for myself and my family.
My boys are a huge part of that goal setting process and this year in particular, spending time with them is a focus for me. It’s so easy to get caught up in the busy routine of our lives and not realize that time, and our children’s youth, is quickly slipping away. As part of the Playtex Mom Trust program, I was asked to share my goals for the coming year and hopefully provide some inspiration to other parents setting their own goals. So to ensure that my boys and I are both enjoying their childhood, these will be three of my goals for the coming year:
1) I Will Make Time for Fun
My boys and I got to have all kinds of amazing experiences last year, from our first trip to Disneyland to a fabulous vacation at the Beaches Resort in Jamaica to a road trip to the West Edmonton Mall. Those are memories that will last a lifetime, but they were interspaced by weeks and weeks of routine. Some of life’s best experiences are ones we have at home, so one day each weekend, I will be exclusively planning a fun activity with my boys. Whether we head to the kitchen to make cookies together or pack a picnic and spend the day at the park, I will be making consistent quality time with my boys one of my top priorities.
2) I Will Get Offline…Sometimes
I love the social media world. I wouldn’t do what I do for a living if I didn’t. But it never sleeps and it can become immersive very easily. I’ve learned in the last four years that there is always more work to be done and that planning to shut off my phone or close my laptop after I’ve finished just doesn’t work, because I’m never really finished. So I’ll be setting a schedule instead to ensure I stick to my goal. For three hours in the afternoon, every single day, I will shut down my electronics and give my attention to my boys.
3) I Will Create Celebrations
The wonderful thing about life is that almost any event can be a cause for celebration. So at least once a month, I will find something to celebrate with my boys. Just like I once celebrated their first tooth, first haircut or first time using a sippy cup, I will celebrate their current accomplishments and do so with creativity. Whether we throw a party in honour of Zackary’s great spelling test or Benjamin learning to spell his name, I want my boys to learn to embrace their victories, to celebrate them and to know that I’m as proud of them now as I was when they reached those baby milestones years ago.
Daily, weekly and monthly goals, all designed to ensure that I spend quality time with my boys and give them the attentional, recognition and love that they need. Because in the end, spending more time with my children is one of the most important and worthwhile goals I could possibly set for myself. Do you have goals to increase your time with your family in 2014?
Little Miss Kate says
Love the idea to create celebrations. I take my boys on lots of little “Adventures” – it is fun for them to make a special event out of what can be everyday happenings.
Cheryl Grandy says
Wonderful goals! Even though my children are in their early twenties, I can see ways to incorporate your ideas into our family. Thanks for the inspiration.
Angela says
I think we can ALL improve on this area — I know I can!
My goals for 2014 are to have 1-on-1 dates with my kids.
Stephanie LaPlante says
I need to make time for fun.
Moe Bwell says
This was one of my goals as well, the make celebrations is a nice touch.
Kristine Ewald says
I need more fun in my life 🙂
Natel Hull says
Those are wonderful resolutions and I may follow your lead 🙂
Heidi C. says
I love these goals! I plan on adopting a number of them myself this year!
natasha severson says
i love your blog and how honest you are!! I love your goals!
Soozle says
I love the idea of calling resolutions GOALS rather than resolutions… It feels more like something you gradually work towards rather than a ALL AT ONCE change that is all or nothing, you know what I mean?
On that note, they are wonderful goals. Over the holidays I also vowed to unplug myself from the online world and enjoy a little more of the one around me. It was pretty great to just READ a little more.. the simple things that go to the wayside when you are consumed with social media, etc..
Lynda Cook says
love your goals, my girls are older now but I always try to have time with them
Erika B says
I like #3. SO far that reason I have set a certain time frame for myself to be online, when the kids are asleep or napping or at school.
Helena says
awesome thoughts, goals, plans, post!
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
doing the offline thing much more now
Jenn G says
Getting offline to spend more time with my kids is something that I am working on too. It is so true that the world of social media never sleeps! I should probably go put my kids to bed…
Choo Choo says
Definitely! I will be on maternity leave this year to take care of our new baby, so excited!
Robyn L says
such good ideas; love the celebrating celebrations; each new ‘step’ is there for us to celebrate and welcome it.
Angie Andrews says
This is a great area to improve and one I plan on improving too.
Linda Szymoniak says
Nothing beats family time. As my daughters have grown up and don’t need me as much as they used to, and have lives of their own, I have started to really miss that family time. At least I do know that I always gave 110% for my girls and hope I’ve instilled my values with regard to family in them.
Robin Wilson says
It’s just the two of us right now. My son just got his own place. But believe it or night with my hubby’s hours we have very little time together. So I have made it a point to get up in the mornings with him while he is getting ready just to have some time together.
Emily Chui says
I don’t have kids, but I plan on improving the quality time spent with my friends, family, and my boyfriend!
LisaM says
I definitely need to even find time to set goals!
BarbFS says
Yes, we try to be sure to visit with each of our grown children’s families at least once a month (we are blessed that none have moved more than 2 hours drive away!!) and Skype at least once per week. It is so important to keep in contact to reinforce the importance of family!
Ashleigh Swerdfeger says
This is a great list! It is so important to spend time with your family. As well, spending time off media is crucial in this day and age where it is truly everywhere!
Marjorie Whitney says
Setting goals makes so much more sense to me than resolutions. A goal I consider something with multiple steips I can work toward, a resolution an all-or-nothing pledge that often isn’t possible.
Kathryn says
That is it exactly, Marjorie! And if it takes me more than one year to accomplish my goal, that doesn’t really matter either, as long as I’m moving towards it. MUCH more sensible than a resolution in my mind!
Sarah says
I really want to incorporate celebrations into my sons life for more than Birthdays and Christmas. It goes by so quickly and I want to make as many special memories for him as I can.
Lorayne Gothard says
I agree that family time needs to be number one. It is very easy to get caught up with the internet, so I have to remind myself to get off an play a game with the kids and create memories!!
Laurie B says
I definitely need to make more ‘fun time’ too. Some times we take life to seriously and just need to sit back, kick the shoes off and enjoy lifes little moments. Thanks for sharing your great goals with us.
Cassie Fancy says
Love your goals , very similar to mine . Get off line ” sometimes ” lol
courtney b says
ha i would say im trying to do the “offline” thing too but its sooo hard!!!
kathy downey says
its great to make time for fun,even if you have no kids adults need fun also
Christina Ferguson says
Your goals are not only inspiring but also very reachable.I set goals for myself this year and have been sticking to them as I made them realistic goals. Though my children are grown and in college, I love your “make time for fun” goal. I am going to apply it to my fiance and I. We get so caught up in the day to day we forget to make time for just having fun..well until now…that’s about to change. 🙂
MrDisco says
those are good goals to have
Cheryl Grandy says
You’ve inspired me to write down some goals for time with my family, taking care of myself, and organizing my home. Today I even looked at them again to see how I’m doing (some good; some not so good but I’m seeing improvements).