With the launch of my new website, I’m excited for the new phase and season ahead of me. I always find it interesting that what I once thought was great, soon is outdated, in need of a facelift, and improving upon.

I find the same thing with parenting. I move along a certain path just fine and then my daughter goes through a new phase or I see an area of character development I can teach her to improve upon. Or what means of motivation works for a while, changes as she gets older and has a different focus. Parenting is never static.

My friends with more than one child tell me that once another child comes into the mix, what works with one, doesn’t always work with the next one. I guess it shouldn’t be surprising. As parents we’re constantly moving, growing, and changing gears. But isn’t that part of what makes the adventure?

When my daughter was young, these changes used to throw me off and frustrate me at times. I was such a planner and liked to know what’s up ahead. Over the years I’ve changed. I still like to see what’s on the horizon (if possible), but I’ve become far more relaxed in this journey and embrace each day as it comes enjoying the little things along the way. I’m more eager to try something new when one method isn’t working. I think it’s about letting go and learning along the way.

So whatever 2011 brings — a new website, a new perspective, a life change, or just a new approach with your kids, enjoy every moment. But don’t get too comfortable … things will change again soon enough.

I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions as let’s face it, the success rate of such pledge isn’t promising. I think for me, just by calling a goal a New Year’s Resolution, it loses its probability of success. It gives me the idea that I’m doing it because a date rolled around on a calendar, not because the goal is what’s best for me.

Perhaps that’s my own mental gymnastics, but I think it’s important to assess the reason for doing something. Doing so helps us achieve long term success.

I read in the newspaper recently that Scientists say habits get wired into our brains. It went into a lot of scientific gobbledygook, but it’s true. I have a late evening snack most every night. It usually is light-butter popcorn or a few slices of goat cheese. Since reading the article I’ve  looked at whether I’m even hungry when I have my late evening snack. Most of the time … I’m not. It’s just what I do. I grab my token snack. When my large 24-pack box of popcorn gets low, I buy more. It’s my late evening snack.

So when it comes to parenting, how do we best set a goal?

1. Stop and think about what we do and our responses to situations with our children. Is it what we want to do and say?
2. Realize our autopilot will not bring successful change.
3. Look for situations to practice the new response or action.

By changing things up our brains will probably be discombobulated. That’s okay. It’s just the start of a new hard-wired habit.

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.  ~Henry Ford

It’s the beginning of December and the countdown begins. Not the countdown to opening presents, or the company Christmas party, or even the end to relentless traffic. For me, it’s the countdown until Christmas break begins!

We are in our second year of homeschooling and as my daughter’s school teacher, I have a new appreciation for Christmas break. I can’t wait for its arrival. Now don’t get me wrong, I love teaching my daughter and am grateful for the opportunity to be so involved in her education. But all wonderful things could use some down time,  right? This teacher is ready … so let the counting begin!

Christmas break is like a mini vacation, but at home with no airport travel or lost luggage. It’s a pause in the routine and uninterrupted time to just be and do what we desire. I will greet it with excitement, crank up the Christmas music, and break out in a dance.

That’s how I feel now about Christmas break, but there was a time it wasn’t so thrilling for me. I worked outside of the home, my daughter was in school and a 2-week school break meant a lot of stress trying to juggle schedules to have one of us home with her, taking her to the office, bringing work home, or using the last of vacation time to just stay home for a few days. I greeted Christmas breaks with a resounding Ugh!

If that is where you find yourself, here are a couple tips to help:

1. Plan a couple special events over the break. It will make the time you do have together special. It doesn’t have to cost anything and can be simple like a sledding day or making Christmas goodies together.
2. Remember that the difficulties of today shall pass. Don’t allow your stress to overflow to your children. Let them know they are a precious gift—no matter if you have lots or little time together.

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.  ~Charles R. Swindoll