Resolution Resolve

by Mary Cady Ford | Monday, Jan. 5, 2009

I was reminded recently that the New Year can be viewed as a type of do-over, hence the onslaught of resolutions made this time of year. We resolve, each year, to cut our spending, lose weight, take up the flute, serve soup to the homeless, etc., and many of these resolutions unfortunately never really come to fruition.

There is a great deal said this time of year about what this empty resolution says about us, but I wonder what this pattern demonstrates to our children. I grew up in a household where each time my father would make a resolution it would die in the next month (sound familiar?). His habit led me, for a time, to view resolutions as fleeting changes that were made for a brief period of time until things went right back to normal.

This year, as you make your resolutions, remember that someone is watching you do it, and learning a great deal about what commitment means from your actions. Before you resolve to feed the homeless, make sure you are truly ready to set aside time and energy once a week to do so, and get involved. Resolve to cook healthier meals, and let your kids help you- make it a pattern. If you really want to cut spending, ask your kids for input and let them help you create a family budget.

As you make resolutions, don't make them things that can be done again as 2010 rolls around if 2009 fails. Make sure your resolution succeeds not only for yourself, but for your kids, too.