Ten Guilt-free Resolutions Worth Making
By Tricia Goyer
What changes would you like to make this New Year? Often resolutions are a form of self-induced guilt, bringing you down instead of helping you to improve. As women and moms, there‘s always a list running through our minds of things we want to be better at. Here’s a list of ten, guilt-free resolutions worth making!
- When your child is talking to you, pause and make eye contact. We all like to be acknowledged, and focusing on our kids (even when they're rattling on and on about their favorite video game) shows them they’re important.
- Invite a friend over for coffee instead of meeting at the coffee shop. Making a pot of coffee costs less than an expensive latte. Also the more you open your home to others, the more you model for your children that hospitality is important — even if your home isn't perfectly clean. It's about the relationship, not the showmanship.
- Listen to your child without giving your opinion too quickly. Just like we want “a listening ear,” every now and then, our family members do too. I've often found that my children will come up with their own good solutions as they talk through their problems.
- Compliment your child every day for something well done. Even simple things like studying hard, making his own sandwich or being polite is worthy of kudos. It's too easy to pick out faults, but kids excel when we give them praise.
- Give your child a chance to succeed. When you see her entering the kitchen with dirty dishes, give your daughter time to load them into the dishwasher before reminding her to do so. Praise her if she does it without asking.
- Schedule an hour “date” with your child once a month. It could be lunch out or something as simple as going to the park. And don't forget to take you camera and chronicle your dates!
- Take a 20-minute nap instead of putting in another load of laundry. A restful mom is a blessing to your whole family.
- Wake up each morning thinking of ten things you're thankful for concerning your kids. Gratitude in your heart casts sunshine into even a busy day.
- Say “yes” in the moment when your kids want to do something fun. Don't let the schedule in your head rule your day.
- Finally, make a resolution to find something you're doing for your children that they should/could do for themselves. It's a gift to you and them!
Tricia Goyer is the mother of one married son, two teens and a baby. More at triciagoyer.com | 
