What an exciting time of year! January is so full of possibilities for you and your children that you can’t help but embrace all that potential. There’s something natural about turning over the calendar page and turning up a new positive attitude as well.

Still, too many of us focus on making “Resolutions,” with a capital “R.” Why add more stress into our already frenzied lives as parents?

Can we instead focus on things we can control? In 2013, why not care more for ourselves, our family, our friends, our acquaintances and the world around us?

It’s truly the season to get inspired, and recently I spotted a lovely graphic that summed up that sentiment nicely. It suggested:

• Less sugar (you are sweet enough already)
• Eat more green things
• Say nice things about others
• Don’t forget to breathe
• Ask for help when you need it
• This, too, shall pass
• Drink more water (your body is 55 percent water, after all)
• Make new friends
• Give yourself a break
• Talk less, listen more
• Add more color to your life
• You’re doing great
• Choose to be happy
• Get moving, even if it’s just around the block
• Smile
• Forget milestones, Remember magical moments

The Mansfield Mothers’ Club is kicking off the new year with a month packed with playdates, outings to local kid hot spots like the Fire Station and Kidz Wurld and a meet-up at Mass Premier Courts Thursday, Jan. 17, at 10 a.m. We hope to see some new faces in the new year in our circle of caring and supporting one another.

Have you made any traditional resolutions or have you reflected on your habits?

Jessica Symonds is president of The Mansfield Mothers' Club, a non-profit organization aimed at providing support for local parents. For more information visit http://mansfieldmothersclub.com, email mansfieldmothersclub@gmail.com or write to Mansfield Mothers' Club, P.O. Box 831, Mansfield, MA 02048.