Reverse New Year’s Resolutions: Things I Don’t Want to Change in 2017

For many people, the New Year is a breath of fresh air — it gives us hope to reach new goals and seek change. Personally, I’m ready for a fresh start and am welcoming 2017 with open arms. However, as much as I’d like to leave 2016 behind, the past year also brought many fond memories of joy with my family and kids. There are a few things I would like to prevent from changing in the new year — mainly my kids growing older — a fact that the year 2017 seems to be screaming in my face!

As much as I’d like to freeze time because I like the ages my kids are right now, I know I don’t have control over it. I decided to focus on the progress, achievements and growth we’ve each made individually and together as a family to mentally ring in a more positive 2017. This point of view inspired me to make reverse New Year’s resolutions for things I want to hold onto with my children:

One of the major things I refuse to see change is my son’s age. He is showing more signs that he is quickly becoming a pre-teen and just hearing the word “tween” makes me nervous! He continues to lose interests in toys and gain more interest in clothes, shoes and girls. Yikes, merely writing that makes me cringe. Girls?! Too soon!

My reverse resolution is to accept the truth that he’s growing and try not to be so scared and worried. Instead, I’ll acknowledge the ways he’s demonstrated that he is carrying the tools to tackle his pre-teen years.

For instance, he began cooking on his own during his summer break while I watched nearby. I was proud to see him take initiative and apply the skills I’ve taught him in the kitchen. He appreciated that I stood by him to supervise and take over the tasks he couldn’t do by himself.

Also, he learned more about money. He isn’t just interested in how to spend it but knows he needs to learn how to save and share it. I think the point I need to remember is not that he’s enthusiastic about cooking and money but that he’s willing to learn while being aware of his limitations. I have to remind myself that these examples are evident of his maturity.

I also take comfort in the fact that he expresses his feelings like telling me when he’s embarrassed. I like that he still comes to me with questions even when he is hesitant to ask.

I’ll follow his lead and tackle it day-by-day, too. I plan to find other ways to bond with him and to do more activities he likes or find new interests together as we both navigate our way through his pre-teen journey.

Another change that is hitting me hard this new year is that my daughter will be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2017. While this doesn’t scare me, it does fill me with sadness. I know kindergarten is a fun school year, but since she’s my last baby, it reminds me that neither of my kids are babies anymore.

My reverse resolution is to find comfort that she doesn’t yet have an ounce of embarrassment when it comes to being with her parents. She still craves hugs, kisses and cuddles. Although she’s made friends in preschool, she is still thrilled when I pick her up, referring to me as her best friend.

Looking back at the milestones she’s reached in 2016 opens my eyes to see that we’ve grown closer as a mom and daughter duo because she can participate in more activities. She insists that she needs to do all the things Mommy likes to do and constantly pleads to wear my clothes, shoes, and jewelry.

I’ll focus on the reality that she is still attached to my hip and cherish that while it lasts. It inspires me to intentionally spend more one-on-one time with her before she enters kindergarten and (gasp!) her tween years.

These precious moments with our kids truly are fleeting. That’s why finding ways to be proactive about cherishing them is my mission for 2017. I’d like to make it a tradition for my family to make reverse resolutions to gather all the good from the prior year and use it to build the foundation for the New Year. I encourage you to do it, too, even with personal achievements, to pat yourself on the back for all the progress you’ve already achieved. So, to all the bad vibes from 2016, I say, “Good riddance to you!” And to all the good: “Follow along and let’s make 2017 even better!