New Year's Eve and Nothing to Do?

Happy New Year's Eve!
How are you spending the last day of 2015?
What are your dreams, aspirations, and goals for 2016?

I must admit, 2016 hasn't been a year I've looked forward to. The first time I read 2016 on a document was when we registered our daughter for Kindergarten many years ago. At the time, 2016 seemed far away but like my Gram and Mom told me, "Enjoy every day because before you know, she'll be graduating." I didn't realize the magnitude of truth in their statement until September of this year as Mags started her Senior year of high school and the college application and FAFSA conversations replaced the teen norm. 

There are days I'm more proud of our daughter than others yet one thing is true, I'm proud of her every day. Her strength, determination, goal setting, and forward thinking encourage me. Sometimes the bold leadership skills drive me crazy but if we've done our job as parents well, then the separation process is only normal. People tend to focus on "senioritis", I know it bit me in the butt (way  more than my daughter but don't tell her that)but until being the parent on the flip side of this time-to-grow-up coin...I didn't realize, the greatest difficulty is the role of parent.

I'm not taking away from the important and life changing decisions our teens face, seventeen years old and having to pick the career path and college that will meet this goal...all before February break! Yikes, no wonder our seniors get a little flighty, growing up is serious and scary stuff. As I set my goals for 2016 and run things through my brain, I'm grateful for a kid with a head on her shoulders and who applies the strategies and skills we've modeled and taught.

My goal as a parent this year is simple, yet a challenge...Let go so she can grow. As you celebrate New Year's Eve, remember not to drink and drive and as you set your goals, how can you be a model and/or catalyst for the next generation?

​Life is about more than the ball rising to the top for Midnight, how can we spur and encourage our kids to reach their goals and explode confetti of understanding, respect, peace, love, hope, generosity, empathy, and leadership in their adulthood? 

How will you spur and encourage the kids in your circle of influence,
to reach their goals and explode confetti
of understanding, respect, peace, love, hope,
generosity, empathy, and leadership in their adulthood?