As a parent, I appreciate new beginnings. Do you ever feel like you just need a clean slate, or a fresh perspective to start again?

There are things I look back on and know I should have done differently as a parent. Such as not telling my then two-year old daughter while she was in the middle of a theatrical outburst, “Is that the best you can do? I did better than that when I was a child.” Not good. My intention was to let her know that I wasn’t buying her dramatics as I’d been there and knew what she was doing. Instead, I fueled a challenge.  

So often in parenting, we have to change gears, redirect our course, or start again. What worked for a time, doesn’t work any more. New issues arise. As our children grow, we have to adjust our parenting to fit their maturing minds. Yes, parenting is always moving and changing.

But new beginnings are good! It’s one of the reasons I love the month of January. I love the chance to reassess and evaluate how something can be done differently. Rather than be discouraged of what isn’t working, I get energized coming up with Plan … Z. It gives me fresh perspective, a clean slate, and new information to work from.

New beginning aren’t limited to January, although our minds gravitate to beginning again with a new year. So what in our parenting, do we need to reassess? What method isn’t working and how can we do it differently.

Rather than continue as we have been, let’s take time to see where we need to make changes in our strategies. Who knows, you might even be keyed up starting with a clean slate. It may even provide the push needed to jump start the new year!

My New Years Day tradition is to wake up before my family does. Even though it makes for a shorter night, I have something I can’t wait to do.

With a silent house, I have my quiet time and journal about the past year — ups and downs, areas of growth and thankfulness, and times of difficulty I’m eager to wave goodbye. Then I sit in solitude and prayer, while I journal thoughts about the upcoming year. I focus on goals for myself, and as a wife and mother, changes I would like to make, or new ways of doing something. It’s such a great time of reflection for me.

About the time I finish, my family wakes up. I’m ready to begin a new year — refreshed, rejuvenated, and renewed.

New beginnings are wonderful. They are a fresh start, a chance to move beyond a past struggle, and a new sense of purpose and direction.

Take some time this week to reflect on last year. What transpired that you are thankful for? What difficulty did you overcome? What areas of growth did you see?

In looking at 2009, jot down some plans and goals for yourself. Not resolutions — those promises typically don’t stick. I’m referring to goals you list for yourself and your family that you wish to aim for, or perhaps a new perspective or method of doing things to strive for. Let it be your blueprint to work from this year.

So get busy, seek solitude, and journal. Happy New Beginnings!

With winter comes cold weather. Cold weather means I bundle up even more than usual. It also leads to our 6-month old puppy not getting as many walks. That translates into a bored, more destructive puppy.

Tired of our socks and Kleenix being demolished at every turn, I braved the cold weather and walked the dog this week — consistently. Okay, I know it hasn’t been that wintry in our area yet, but I’m chilly when it’s 55 degrees!

I’ve enjoyed the cold walks. Granted the first half mile I walk a more brisk pace in an attempt to keep hypothermia at bay (perhaps a slight exaggeration). Then the next two miles, I start unzipping my coat and wish I hadn’t worn so many layers.

As the dog and I stroll along, I’ve felt a peace. All the worries or stresses of the day melt away as I observe the beauty of God’s creation around me. With school in session and technology interruptions left at home, nothing intrudes on my time to just be.

It’s been a good reminder to me that in the midst of life’s daily demands, there is tremendous value in taking time out to enjoy the simple things in life. Whether it’s only fifteen minutes or an hour, the benefit is terrific. It gives us a chance to gain a bit of renewal, so we can continue our day with rejuvenation.

So take time to refresh yourself today. You’ll be glad you did!