In less two weeks the year will be done! A new year will be here and many of us will be planning and preparing for the new school year. It all happens so fast doesn’t it? We start Grade 1 next year, Grade 9 and Grade 10! Can you handle that? I will have a sixteen year old next year!
I can’t say 2017 was a good year but I can’t say it was bad year either. We have had some really amazing wins and both David and I are doing well professionally. The kids have all reached their milestones (including tantrums, snotty attitudes and teen moods).
2017 has taught me a lot, mainly about raising teens but also about parenting in general. You would think with 4.5 kids under my belt I would have a better handle on things wouldn’t you?
These are a few of the lessons I have learnt in the past 12 months.
- Bullying is more rife than I think anyone realises and NO child is immune.
- You don’t always have to do what everyone else is doing. This isn’t a new lesson but one I was reminded of this year.
- Daily affirmations can be really powerful. If you don’t listen to any, you should start.
- I really don’t like travelling on the Gautrain during peak hours.
- I don’t mind getting old but the changes (ie weight gain) that I can only attribute to my age and changing hormones SUCK! I have been eating well for weeks and have actually PUT on more weight.
- I learnt that you aren’t allowed to stuff owls in America or France (thanks David Sedaris).
- I definitely do not ever want to go back to a 9-5 job.
- It is not possible to make enough food to satisfy the needs of a 15 and 6 year old boy.
- There are many teachers who really should rather not be teachers.
- A good teacher, however, can change the course of a child’s life.
- My kids are awesome, all of them. They handle whatever we throw at them with humour.
What did 2017 teach you?
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21 Responses
Best lesson I have learned in 2017. I cannot control everything, but I can be kind (my word of the year)!
Great lessons to reflect on. The number one thing I learnt this year is to believe in myself. I’m not ‘just a mom’. I’m me and I need to value myself more.
Thanks for linking up.
#lekkerlinky
That is a valuable lesson!!!
Feeding boys is hard! Mine are just 5 and 3 but there are weeks I just can’t keep up with their food demands. I’m dreading the tween/teenage years. I’m still learning to be my kids’ advocate and trusting my instincts more.
Yeah it only gets worse. They NEVER EVER stop. LOL its exhausting 🙂
2017 taught me to take risks! Happy holidays!
Risk taking can be super scary but SO worth it
Great list of lessons you have here. 2017 reminded me to set goals for myself.
Melissa Javan recently posted…Money mistakes I won’t make in 2018
I love this, i hate bullying and if any person should bully my kids they will get some serious backhands from me, but no im thinking of having the girls take on karate classes, so that they can defend themselves and it doesnt hurt that karate will give them some discipline, cos Lord alone knows they need it.#lekklerlinky
The problem with a lot of bullying is that it is not physical!
I learned in 2017 to be patient with myself. I know I’ll be grappling with this for a long time to come, but at least it’s on my radar!
Sarah recently posted…2018 will be the year I … take care of myself
Patience is not my strength either – with anyone
I sat in classes of teachers that should never have been allowed to “shape young minds” but we all survive them.
Yeah we did
These are such great lessons to reflect on! I learned (and always re-learn) that things happen for a reason.
Belle | One Awesome Momma
One of my biggest lessons – It’s okay to ask for help and lean on others.
This is a great post. It’s nice to look back and reflect on the year we’ve had. The lesson you learned with regards to your boys – that no amount of food you make will ever be enough – made me LOL! 🙂 #lekkerlinky
Charlene | High Heels & Fairy Tales recently posted…#LekkerLinky [Week 1]
I learnt to not take life so seriously…especially with little ones. Just enjoy each moment – it goes all too quickly
2017 definitely taught me to slow down and enjoy the little things in life, for they end up being the big things.
My lesson for 2017 that i am carrying with me to 2018, is to set stretch goals, AND to put plans behind goals. Thank you for sharing!
I am with you on the change in hormones as we get older. Getting older is not for sissies! Then still trying to love yourself when you body does not want to cooperate. ? That will be my goal for 2018. Love myself regardless… #Lekkerlinky