If…

Lately I have become overwhelmed by my kids, they are wild and crazy ALL THE TIME! Cabin fever has us all cranky and bickering. Winter is hard. And Long. Very, very long.

I had all these home goals for 2011, but the goal that is most important I forgot… the one about being a better parent. Being present instead of giving presents. Connecting more as a family instead of worrying if the family room looks perfect. Have you ever watched Supernanny? Well, it always gives me the aha moment when the parents change so do the kids. Maybe I need to do some changing and so will my boys? I don’t want to be saying this in a few years…

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"