As I enjoy the last few days of my kids at home, experiencing more peace than I’d expected, despite stumbling over the basement obstacle course and mowing around their fort-of many-colors, I consider the coming months of schoolday solitude and ponder…

…Schoolyear’s Resolutions.

Like many parents, our family’s life revolves around the school calendar, rather than the Roman one, so I’m making schoolyear’s resolutions - goals I’m setting for myself as we enter this new chapter. I read the book, The Hurried Woman Syndrome , and felt that much of it was an Ah-ha moment for me. So my goals will focus upon stress reduction.

Of course, my best personal resolution would be to stop trying to be the valedictorian of everything (thanks Dooce, for this phrase), and be happy with a B+ average in life. But that would require a personality change and more therapy than I have time for.

So instead, these are my resolutions:

1. Attitude
Appreciate the phenominally fantastic, yet everyday events that I’m blessed to experience. Spend one-on-one time with my husband and each child, every week — even if it’s just coffee, or just a bike ride, or just a trip to the grocery store.

2. Simplicity
Remember my family’s priorities. Be satisfied with myself and accept my imperfections, even if I’m trying to improve them. Focus on writing assignments and professional engagements that bring me joy. Volunteer for short-term school commitments, rather than overwhelming ones. Smile more. Spend less.

3. Health
Exercise at least a half-hour, at least 3 days per week. Start to count calories, and reduce the bad ones.

I know I’m not the only one that makes goals at the beginning of the schoolyear. Just today, I commented on a Thursday Thirteen post like this (and if I find her site again, I’ll link to it!) If you’d like to start some schoolyear’s resolutions of your own, I’d love to hear them.

Care to join me?