BEST OF INTENTIONS
I always start a new year
by writing a list of ambitious resolutions
that are harder to achieve
than fitting into my pre-pregnancy
jeans.
Although I always start out with
the best of intentions,
this year I figured I might be more
successful
if I lowered my standards
and modified my resolutions to more
reasonable goals.
Last year's resolution:
The television will remain off during
school days.
Quality family time will be spent
reading,
talking to each other,
exploring the outdoors, or doing
arts and crafts.
This year's resolution:
The television will remain off every
other Tuesday morning
on even months beginning with the
letter J.
We will spend quality time eating
fast food
out of Styrofoam containers
and seeing who can make the fanciest
design
in catsup with their fries.
Last year:
I will create gourmet meals from
scratch,
seasoned with fresh herbs from my
garden.
This year:
I will use a spice other than salt.
Last year:
I will decorate my house with custom
holiday items
handmade from dried cuttings grown
in my backyard.
This year:
I will make a homemade Christmas
wreath
for the PTA potluck by pouring macaroni
and cheese
into a Jell-O mold.
Last year:
I will improve my mind by joining
a local book club
so I can read and have lively discussions
on current literature.
This year:
I will stay awake long enough to
read a picture book
to my children without falling asleep
in their beds.
Last year:
I will take time to talk and actively
listen to my children
so I can learn about who they are
and grow to respect them as individuals.
This year:
I will not nod off
when my daughter tells me what she
did at school,
who she ate lunch with, how much
she ate,
how much everybody else ate,
the rules of the new game she played
at recess afterwards,
how many times she won,
and the plot of the last Disney
movie she watched --
even if my brain goes numb and my
teeth fall asleep.
Last year:
I will strive to lose weight, be
more organized,
and successful like my childless
friends.
This year:
I will make my childless friends
feel overweight,
disorganized and inadequate
by having them baby-sit my children.
Last year:
I will try to stay informed
of political happenings and current
events.
This year:
I will try to remember what day
it is,
where I live, and my real name.
Last year:
I will make my children's Halloween
costumes,
entire school wardrobe,
and a set of custom curtains for
their bedroom
that match the Disney characters
on their wallpaper.
This year:
I will attach my daughter's Girl
Scout patches
without using a glue gun and stapler.
Last year:
I will let my children know how
much I love them.
This year:
I will let my children know how
much I love them.
When I finished writing,
I stuck the list on the refrigerator
and,
as I popped a bag of frozen peas
into the microwave
and hid a basket of ironing behind
the sofa,
I knew I had finally made some resolutions
I could keep.
-- Debbie Farmer --
Debbie Farmer is the author of the
print book,
"Life in the Fast Food Lane:
Surviving the Chaos of Parenting."
You can drop her a note,
Debbie@familydaze.com
order a book,
or sign up to receive a FREE monthly
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My Heartfelt Thanks to Debbie !!!