New Year's Resolutions for Parents

Today I received the following list from the Director of our Montessori school. There are definitely some things in here I'm going to try to do more of in 2011. My kids deserve it.

Ten Practical New Year's Resolutions for Parents


1.  Say yes more: to spending time and doing things together.
2.  Say no more: to I want, I need, everyone has it, and everyone does it.
3.  Worry less: about all the large and small highly sensationalized harm that exists out there. The overwhelming odds are with you (but drive carefully – without the cell phone).
4.  Listen more; talk at less: Ask what do you think? What are you feeling? Tell me about it. What would you do?
5.  Negotiate less; explain more: Our kids deserve to know the thinking behind our decisions and expectations, but should not be equal partners at the bargaining table. We are the parents.
6.  Read a little more: to your child, with your child, and in front of your child – books, magazines, newspapers, notes. Visit our Growing Readers site for inspiration.
7.  Write a little more: notes of love, recognition, encouragement, responsibility, and daily appreciation of life.
8.  Expect a little more: good behavior, responsibility, manners, kindness, and all of the goodness that lies within our children.
9.  Expect a little less: constant scheduling and enrichment filled days. Slow down, you move too fast. Children need a lot of slow to grow.
10. Connect more: to family, friends, the community, those less fortunate, and the natural world.