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We're already having more fun in 2008.

Recently I wrote out a list of family resolutions for 2008. These were broad-reaching goals to make our family happier, healthier and closer in the new year.

But I'd also like to write down some parenting goals as well. 2007 was rather tough on me as a parent. First I found myself struggling to parent a very energetic toddler while waddling around like an overstuffed penguin in my third trimester of pregnancy.

Then Mira arrived and I discovered that everything is different when trying to care for a newborn when there's an older child, too. "Sleep when the baby sleeps" was clearly advice intended for first time parents only. Later in the fall came Cordy's diagnosis of autism. We had known this was a possibility from the behaviors she exhibited, but having an outside expert confirm it led to more stress, feelings of inadequacy, and a rush to get her as much therapy and interventions as we could find to ensure she had the best possible shot at being as close to "typical" as possible.

And now, as I stare into the dawn of 2008, I wonder what parenting challenges lie ahead for me? No matter what happens, I've set some personal parenting goals for myself.

Be like a reed, not a stick. The stick is rigid and breaks in the changing winds. The reed bends to accommodate the change. It seems like every time I conquer one major parenting hurdle, another comes along and it seems bigger and badder than any I have dealt with before. Nothing in life is set in stone, and I want to make sure that I am flexible enough to deal with the changes that come my way.

Have fun. If I had to give one word to sum up 2007 for me, I'd say it was "survival". My days consisted of doing the minimum that needed to be done to get me to the end of the day. Mira was an unhappy newborn, and Cordy was a demanding toddler, and most of the time I could never have both of them happy for a moment. I got caught up in trying to deal with their needs that I missed out on many chances to just have fun and enjoy being with my daughters. So for 2008, I am determined to play more, have more fun, and get lost in the wonder of the world through a young child's eyes.

Say yes more often. Again, as a result of dealing with a newborn, there have been too many times that I responded to any request of Cordy's with a simple, curt "No" because it was inconvenient. I don't want to be the mean mommy all the time. She deserves to hear "yes" more often, even if it means having to occasionally put work or my own personal desires aside for a little bit. It's my job to show her the world - she's been asking me, and it's time I step up and do it.

Work better as a team with my husband. Don't get me wrong - I have a fabulous husband who happily does his share of the parenting. He plays with them, takes care of basic needs, and even does housework, too. I never worry if I'm gone for the day and he's in charge. But at the same time, it's too often that I nag him to do things a certain way, or call to check if he's doing everything right when I know he knows what to do. We each have our own way of parenting, and I need to step back occasionally and let him do it his way. Both ways can be equally good.

I think that's a good start for 2008. What parenting goals do you have for the new year?