Start Your Year Off Right, Create 'Family' Goals

So often, we are disgusted and frustrated with our home, the clutter and mess that is in it and the fact that we feel like we have lost control.

Part of the problem is because we don't have the cooperation of other family members that we would like to have. Plus the fact that we have our own schedules to try to keep up with and we don't feel like we would like to be hollering with the precious time that we have with our families.

We always set new goals at the beginning of summer because we feel that is the opportune time because the kids are off school and our routine changes. However, it is also the time of year that the kids want to be outside (and so do we), we have lawn work to contend with and other things on our list of things to do. Then we wonder why no one wants to listen to us!

You could say that it is lack of communication that is the problem, but most likely, it is the fact that everyone is just too busy to care and would rather be doing other things.

This is the perfect time of year to get everyone's attention. It is cold outside, everyone is used to the routine of school or work and there isn't very many outside activities to everyone to do. So, now is the time to sit down and decide-as a family-what it is that you would like to change about your home or lifestyle to improve it, make it less frustrating and to offer you more time during the summer to have the time for the fun things in life.

Now is a great time to paint the bedroom a different color or to finally clean the junk out of the basement and make a den or fun area for the entire family to enjoy.

What other goals would your family like to set? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Make can there be more time for Dad and Mom to have time by themselves.
2. How and when can we spend more time with extended family and friends that we don't see very often.
3. When can we schedule time for sending cards and/or letters to relatives from out of town or out of state to tell them all of the news in the family.
4. How can we share chores, so we get everything done and still have most of the weekend left to do other things.
5. How can we make chore time easier and faster and still have a quality job.
6. How can we do better at work/school.
7. How can we make morning routines easier.
8. When can we have more family time that doesn't involve working, just fun.
9. Think of ways that we can cut expenses so we have extra money.
10. What are the main priorities of taking care of our family and are we accomplishing those things, if not, how can we change the problem.

You would be surprised, how working as a family team, can create a stress-free living environment. You are a family team, that will tackle the daily problems of your home and your life, together and come up with solutions that will benefit all of you it can be done by working together.