Tuesday: Relationships

This is a fun one.  I am thinking about how I would like to tell my friends and family I love and appreciate them this year.  Part of that for me is getting a birthday calendar together and buying all my cards for the year, stamping and filing them ready to send on time.  I will also stock sympathy, get well, wedding and baby cards so I’m never left unprepared again.  This can get expensive, but I’ve found a good selection of $.50 cards at various stores around town and I’ll be snagging the best of those.  If you or your children enjoy making cards, go for it!   For more articles on creating a greeting card file try here and here.

I’m also thinking about my children and how I’d like to be more engaged with them this year.  One of the best ways to curb rebellion and dishonesty is to have a strong relationship with my children.  We are together all day, but my mind is often far away.  I want to change that.

I’m grateful that my husband and I get to have a date twice a month, since we trade babysitting with DHs cousins.  But I  am thinking of other ways I can let him know that I appreciate him and how to encourage him.  I think I will start by packing his lunch again (I’ve fallen out of that habit lately.)  Then I can slip a note in now and then or a special treat just for him.

I’m also thinking about my grandma who lives in a nursing home.  It is hard for us to get out, but I want to make a new routine to visit her frequently.

I’d love to hear your ideas for building closer relationships this year!