My Word of the Year is: Honor
But let me share some context first. I’m a mom of two teens. It’s that wonderful time in parenting where they go from “Mom, watch me! Play with me! YAY!” … to “Ugh, mom.” Fewer smiles. More eye-rolls. I’m there.
As I’m learning, parenting teens is like that “pivot” scene in Friends. Ross is yelling PIVOT, trying to move a couch up the stairs. It feels like you’re stuck. The people around you are not sure what to do or where to go. And in this episode, we’re also all on our phones, which doesn’t help.
So why is my word of the year “Honor”?
Because in the chaos of trying to guide my teens thru life (or get the couch up the stairs), I want them to know that I will do my best to HONOR my commitment as a mom to help them, guide them and love them.
Even when it gets hard and we just can’t figure it out.
Even when we feel stuck like this is isn’t budging and I CAN’T DO IT!
Even when someone (usually me) starts yelling PIVOT (or other assorted words.)
In 2023, I choose to HONOR my commitment as a mom.
This is not to say that I hadn’t been trying to be the best mom I could be. It’s just a renewed, “word of the year,” type of commitment to see what I could do better.
I decided to get serious about this “word of the year” business, so I looked up the definition of the verb “to honor.”
To honor means “to regard or treat (someone) with admiration and respect.” It also means: “to live up to or fulfill the terms of” as in honoring a commitment.
As a mom, I want my kids to have a role model they can look up to with admiration and respect. I want to live up to and fulfill the terms of my commitment to them. I want to be known as a “Mom of my word.”
Honor as a working mom
Whether you’re staying home, working or whatever, there are challenges no matter what. I see you and I honor you, mama. We’re in this together. But for this blog post’s purposes, I’ll share that I work full time outside-the-home, often work weekends, and get home at 7pm on weeknights. This is not me being a workaholic; it’s simply the way my schedule works.
This year, in 2023, I want to be available for my kids as much as possible (and I’m trying to make changes to my work schedule to make that happen.) So far, the answer has been no, but I’m not giving up. My current job takes me away from home more than I’d like and it’s hard.
Honor at home
Lately, the tone in my home has been a bit chaotic & angry (if I’m super honest.) I have been frustrated and cranky. And my commitment as a mom in 2023 is to honor my home and treat my family with admiration and respect. This means setting healthy boundaries, treating each other kindly and not demanding or yelling when things don’t go my way.
If the chores are not done, how do I honor my commitment to have a happy, peaceful home? Instead of yelling in frustration, I can try to first – calm down. Second, ask for the chore to be done. Third, follow thru with set consequences. (Sounds awesome, right?! I’m not there, but that’s the goal.)
Honor in how we live
I don’t want to just “tell” my kids what to do, I want to model for my kids how to do it. How to set goals & see them through. How to be successful in different areas. How to deal with challenges with grace. How to be persistent. How to be kind.
This year, 2023, my son is a junior in high school and my daughter is in 7th grade. It feels like such an important year. Getting thru middle school is hard. So is getting ready for your last year of high school (this fall!) and figuring out college. It’s like maneuvering a couch up the stairs.
I know it won’t be easy, but I am here for a year of honoring our commitments to each other. Treating my hubby & our teenagers with honor, respect and admiration. Living my life in a way that inspires them.
Who’s with me? (Seriously, though, tell me in the comments. I need other moms of teens to get thru these years together!)
~Coppelia
