I was recently reminded how tough it can be to change our behaviors.  When we identify something about ourselves we want to change, it can be difficult to sustain the new behavior in the beginning.  It may be that we want to be more tolerant, patient or minimize our need to be perfect.  This story is about my 14-year-old daughter wanting to act more like an adult.

A few years ago, my husband, daughter and I went grocery shopping only to discover upon coming out of the store that our car was dead. Immediately, our thoughts went to “Who can we call to help us?” It was a low moment when the only friends we could think of who would gladly leave whatever Labor Day plans they had to rescue us was an hour away. This couple would have not only left the event they were hosting but would probably pack up some food and bring it with them, but we didn’t want to inconvenience anybody.

When I became a parent, I made a promise to myself that my kids would be kids, playing outside daily and enjoying the messiness that comes with it.

But then came the day when I found out my oldest son, Jake, was accepted into an accelerated fourth grade learning program. What an honor and you bet I was proud! But what I didn’t realize was the price both of us were going to pay.

As mid-January approaches, many of us face the inevitability of the resolution slump. While we may have made goals or resolutions for 2013 with the best of intentions, it’s not always easy to stay motivated. As Growing Leaders founder Tim Elmore points out in the guest post below, it’s easy for real life’s demands to get in the way. Fortunately, it’s not too late. In the blog below, Elmore offers some suggestions for setting and maintaining resolutions, that coincide with the working parent’s priorities.

So Lexi discovered “Leave It to Beaver” on Netflix. There was something refreshing about the three of us finishing our chores as quickly as possible to sit around the television to watch a black and white show. I was most excited about experiencing it through Lexi’s eyes.

Like most families we have our Christmas traditions.  For us, the Christmas tree is the first tradition of the season.  We go to the same tree lot every year on the first weekend of December to pick our tree and we decorate it that evening.  It is a special time for us to really connect and reminisce on past Christmases.

I'm setting my sights a little lower this Christmas.

Let me explain.

My holiday fashion article would have been shortly followed by one about the beauty of holiday music. Teachers across our nation have had an especially difficult week, and  I only got as far as the title of my article about our high school’s recent music performance, “Holiday Beauty at Hale Ray, Brought To Us By Rose Marie Evans”.

My (almost) three year old is very fond of sweets, as are many children.  He relentlessly makes requests for “special treats” and finds any occasion to be an appropriate time to have one.  Now, my friends and family know that I am somewhat of a health nut and eat a diet very low in sugar.  My son, however, is a very picky eater.

"My List Is Bigger Than Your List!  And I’ll prove it!"

Sound familiar?

At this time of year, the “too busy” conversation that we know and love gets as loud as Rudolph’s hooves landing on a tin roof – and just as unnerving.