A Mother's New Year Resolutions

Some old, some new, but here they are--

A Mother's New Year Resolutions.

I will not scold happy noise.

I will use the TV as a babysitter-- rarely and as if it costs $10 an hour.

I will give my kids a 1970's summer.

I will, without apology, be the nutrition, grammar, hygiene, wardrobe, curfew and screen police.

I will, without apology, require uncompensated help around the house. It's called being part of a family.

I will, without apology, put my husband's and children's ambitions before my own.

I will, if necessary, fight the screens to the death (the screens' death, that is).

I will not tolerate disrespect in any form, be it back talk, sighs or the rolling of eyes.

I'm the mother. I'm the mother. I'm the mother.

I will not be a helicopter mom.

I will not be a tiger mom.

I will be a balanced mom.

I will keep in touch with my girlfriends. We need each other.

As I enter a new parenting season and (after 28 years) leave the baby years behind, I will strive to run my house properly, resisting the temptation to eat bon-bons on the couch.

I will allow my kids to get dirty, get hurt and make mistakes.

I will take a nap everyday.

I will put my phone down.

I will pick my kids up.

When the younger generation is jumping off a cliff, I will not pack my kids a parachute and tell them to be careful. I will, instead, remember what my mother asked me:

If everyone jumped off a cliff, would you jump off a cliff, too?

"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward."

Psalm 127: 3

Nine out of ten Sims kids in a pyramid --Happy New Year!