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One Word

Last year I created a personal manifesto or list of intentions for living in 2011. This year, as I face such a busy start to the year, I have compressed my manifesto into one word…

balance

As I look ahead at the busyness of living, parenting, work commitments, a rather large writing task (which I will share more about soon), Immy starting school, as well as being pregnant and preparing for a new baby and the impact he/she will have on our family, I need to take a deep breath and work at maintaining a sense of balance.

bal˙ance

1. a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of amount, etc.
2. something used to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
3. mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behaviour, judgment, etc.

I am guessing I will particularly need to focus on the third definition point!

Do you have a family or parenting related resolution for 2012?

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Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  2. Sarah C says

    I've been thinking about my 'goals' for this year and balance is a good summary of what I would like to aspire to. Thank you. It's going to be a wonderful year x

  3. Sarah says

    My main focus is Balance and Organisation. That way the other things I want to achieve should be easier to do. Happy New Year

  4. Carla says

    My word this year is laughter. I need to loosen up, stop and smell the roses, and see the humor in life's challenges. Laughing, that's what 2012 will have more of, for me and mine. Happy new year!

  5. Aussie Mum says

    My word for the year is sleep! I have been scraping by on far too little and it has finally caught up with me - I have been sick in bed for the past 4 days. Now my baby is through his first year I'm aiming to get a bit more sleep this year and hopefully a lot of other things will then fall into place!

    • Christie Burnett says

      Oh no, so sorry to hear you are unwell. Sleep and rest are so important, especially for busy mamas. Sending best wishes for a speedy recovery and a wonderful 2012 to you and your lovely family :)

  7. Tricia says

    Balance is such a good focus Christie. I hope you have more luck with your word this year than I did with mine last year. My 'word' last year was 'wellbeing'. I failled dismally. I think it was because I was stressing about 'being calm' 'eating well' and doing everything right so much that I forgot to have fun. I don't have a 'word' this year....but I do want to have a whole lot more fun. Likewise for a parenting/family resolution. I want to stop thinking too much about what we 'should' be doing and just get out and have more fun.

    • Christie Burnett says

      Having more fun sounds like a fabulous intention :) All of my love and best wishes for you and your family this year, I hope it goes at a much slower pace than last year xox

  9. Kathy says

    COURAGE. That is my word and focus for 2012 - being brave enough to pursue my goals and not be held back by fear of failure; being brave enough to parent the way I think is right for my children without being constrained by fear of social or familial disapproval.

  10. Maxabella says

    A very good word indeed. But impossible? I guess we shall see as your year progresses - if anyone can find that elusive balance, it is you, you, you! I wish you every good thought for achieving it. Happy, shiny new year, Christie! x

    • Christie Burnett says

      I am just going to visualise and keep my mind on the word and breathe regularly :) That is the appeal of one word to me in this busy time! Love to you and your family for 2012, Bron :)

  11. Nichole says

    Joy is my word for 2012 which to borrow from the NY Times, is the deeper happiness the "kind of happiness that doesn't depend on what happens." Happy new year everyone :)

  14. Cath says

    I really wanted to "BALANCE" to be my 2012 word but in the end I settled on 3 - Wellness, Wealth and Connection (http://leafjournals.com/topic/blog/2012-words-of-wisdom) - which lead to... balance??? Best of luck with your pregnancy, new bub, magazine, blog, Immy at preschool - right, yes, I see where your word is coming from! Happy 2012 Christie. Best wishes!!!

  15. Sannah says

    Balance - Just beautiful. I love it. So simple, and yet encompasses so much. My word for 2012 is joy, but I really hope that I achieve balance in my life as well. x Sannah

  17. sarah says

    You do have a lot to balance this (exciting) year Christie, and balance is a fine word - much more composed than juggle! My word is Focus. I want to act more purposefully, finish projects before starting new ones and quit thinking I can do ten things at once (properly). Wishing you a fabulous (and perfectly balanced) year!

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