Two words! Worth it!! Moms, we all know we need some time away from the obligations and responsibilities of motherhood. We need to regroup, decompress, & remember that we’re more than nose & butt wipers. And yes, Karen, we know we need to put our oxygen masks on first! If I hear that analogy ONE MORE TIME!! Lol! But let’s be honest, going out is a LOT of work. First & foremost you need to snag a sitter, make dinner for kids, write bedtime instructions, sit everything out for the next day so you don’t hate yourself in the morning, & finally, make yourself look presentable…that might be a reach, put a bra on. Going out can also cost a lot of money. We’re talking having to sacrifice your Grande Frappe Latte for a few weeks kinda money! And, finally after all that work, all those days of pretending to enjoy your new coffee & ice cream concoction, losing a lifelong friendship because you stole her babysitter, & wearing an uncomfortable bra ALL night, you arrive home and go straight to the fridge to slurp up your sorrows in the butter pecan coffee carafe. Moms Night Out Remorse is a real thing, it’s like buyer’s remorse only worse because not only are you out the money, but also the time! That’s why I’m happy to announce that there is a Ladies Night Out destination that has been given the Mom on the go in Holy Toledo seal of approval, WORTH IT!! Read more
Author: momonthegoinholytoledo
2019 Easter Bunny Sightings & Egg Hunts in Toledo
“Here comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin’ down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppin’, Easter’s on its way!”
Easter is just around the corner! Here are some local Easter Bunny Sightings & Easter Egg Hunts going on in Toledo and the surrounding areas. Share, tag friends, and make plans today!










Bass Pro Shops Rossford











Know of events that didn’t make the list? Please share!
SafeSplash & SwimLab Swim School is OPENING in Toledo!!
What is the deal with swim lessons in this city? Seriously, the struggle is real! It seems like you either have to purchase a membership, or pay WAY too much as a, “non-member” just to have your child be placed in an overcrowded mediocre class with an underqualified instructor…and don’t even get me started on the lack of lesson days/times. NOT ANYMORE! Brace yourself; this is a GAME CHANGER….SafeSplash +SwimLab Swim School Holland! Say What?!

What’s SafeSplash + SwimLabs?
SafeSplash + SwimLabs Holland specializes in providing swim lessons for children and adults of all ages and abilities throughout the cities and neighborhoods in the Greater Toledo area including Perrysburg, Maumee, Sylvania, Holland, Monclova, Whitehouse, Waterville, Ottawa Hills, and Oregon.
The Swim School is an independently owned and operated franchised location of the nation’s leading learn to swim school brand family, Streamline Brands. Chris and Marianne Peters are the owners. As members of the Toledo community, they have a deep commitment to the health, safety and well-being of the children of our community and the surrounding areas. It is for this reason that they love to teach them how to swim. They believe learning to swim is a life skill®. Beyond giving you peace of mind that your child is safe, swimming lessons give kids the opportunity to feel pride, confidence, and develop socially. Studies also show kids that are involved in swimming perform better in school, are more disciplined and have better study habits throughout their educational career.


BUT wait, it gets better…..
At SafeSplash + SwimLabs Holland, they understand that the match between an instructor and a student makes a significant difference in the student’s learning. They give your swimmer the opportunity to learn from passionate certified instructors that provide individual attention in a manner that is tailored to their learning style. They call this uniquely tailored approach to teaching the SafeSplash Match®.
They strive to exceed your expectations every time you come to swim lessons. They offer a positive, fun experience to their students with the ultimate goal of helping them become safe, happy, confident, lifelong swimmers.
And talk about options….

You no longer have to adjust your schedule to accommodate swim lessons…they legit have a lesson available for practically every day of the week with various time options!
Here’s the details…..

SafeSplash +SwimLab Swim School
Location: 1510 Spring Meadows Drive #D-100, Holland, OH 43528
Phone: (419) 370-2801
Website: https://www.safesplash.com/locations/holland
Email: moreinfo@safesplash.com
Register: https://customers.safesplash.com/Enrollment?Location=OH0015

Menu of Lessons being offered this at SafeSplash:
ParentTot 1: Parent and child work together to develop the foundational skills crucial for learning to swim and promote safety in the water. (Starting at 6 months old and have a student to teacher ratio of 6:1. A parent must get in the water.)
Group lessons for SafeSplash are $20 per class with one lesson per week
Register: Click on link above
ParentTot 2: Parent and child work together to develop the beginning swimming skills crucial for learning strokes and promote safety in the water. (Ages 1.5 – 3 years, 6:1 student to teacher ratio. A parent must get in the water.)
Group lessons for SafeSplash are $20 per class with one lesson per week
Register: Click on link above
Toddler Transition 1: Class focuses on fundamental swimming and safety skills while learning how to safely be a part of a group class. Parents may stay poolside for safety purposes to ensure the child is following class rules. (Ages 2 – 3 years, 3:1 student to teacher ratio)
Group lessons for SafeSplash are $20 per class with one lesson per week
Register: Click on link above
Toddler Transition 2: Class focuses on fundamental swimming and safety skills while learning how to safely be a part of a group class. In this class, swimmers must be completely independent of the parent. (Ages 2 – 3 years, 3:1 student to teacher ratio)
Group lessons for SafeSplash are $20 per class with one lesson per week
Register: Click on link above
Beginner 1: Swimmers learn the basic safety skills, blowing bubbles through the mouth and nose, front and back float, as well as the beginning arm and kicking movements for freestyle. For students with no prior swimming experience, or are scared of the water. (Ages 3+ years, 4:1 student to teacher ratio.)
Group lessons for SafeSplash are $20 per class with one lesson per week
Register: https://customers.safesplash.com/Enrollment?Location=OH0015
Beginner 2: Swimmers develop basic freestyle and independent backstroke skills, and build on water safety. For beginner swimmers who have had prior swimming experience and are comfortable in the water. (Ages 3+ years, 4:1 student to teacher ratio.)
Group lessons for SafeSplash are $20 per class with one lesson per week
Register: Click on link above
Beginner 3: Swimmers begin to learn freestyle side breathing with assistance, develop backstroke technique, and build on water safety skills. (Ages 3+ years, 4:1 student to teacher ratio)
Group lessons for SafeSplash are $20 per class with one lesson per week
Register: Click on link above
Intermediate 1: Swimmers learn independent freestyle side breathing, develop backstroke technique, and are introduced to breaststroke beginning with the kick. (Ages – based on swim ability, 4:1 student to teacher ratio)
Group lessons for SafeSplash are $20 per class with one lesson per week
Register: Click on link above
Intermediate 2: Swimmers continue developing freestyle and backstroke technique and endurance, learn the complete breaststroke by adding arm and breathing skills, and introduced to butterfly beginning with the kick. (Ages – based on swim ability, 4:1 student to teacher ratio)
Group lessons for SafeSplash are $20 per class with one lesson per week
Register: Click on link above
Intermediate 3: Swimmers will accomplish learning butterfly by adding the arm pattern, proper timing and breath control, and continue to refine technique and build endurance for all four strokes. (Ages – based on swim ability, 4:1 student to teacher ratio)
Group lessons for SafeSplash are $20 per class with one lesson per week
Register: Click on link above
Advanced 1: Swimmers focus on improving technique and gaining endurance and develop competition skills such as starts, turns, and streamlining. (Ages – based on swim ability, 4:1 student to teacher ratio)
Group lessons for SafeSplash are $20 per class with one lesson per week
Register: Click on link above
Advanced 2: Swimmers focus on improving endurance and refining race techniques including breakouts, finishes, and IM turns. (Ages – based on swim ability, 4:1 student to teacher ratio)
Group lessons for SafeSplash are $20 per class with one lesson per week
Register: https://customers.safesplash.com/Enrollment?Location=OH0015
The only downfall to having such an awesome Swim School in our backyards, it will fill up fast!! So be sure to register today!
$10 Tickets to the Shrine Circus (Not a Typo, ONLY $10! Going FAST!)
Looks like it’s another “mommy & me” date to the Circus! Hmm, which kid did I leave off on? Sick of always having to keep track of which child’s turn it is for their “mommy & me” or “daddy & me” dates? Wouldn’t it be nice if the entire family could actually attend something together? But with the cost of tickets these days you practically have to apply for a loan if you want the entire family to attend & dinner afterward is definitely out of the question! Or is it?! How do $10 tickets sound? This Friday 4pm show ONLY all tickets are just $10! Go ahead, text the hubby, or if he can’t make it your BFF, and see if she and her kiddos want to go….click on link below to be directed to ticketmaster so you can snag those seats ASAP!

BUT WAIT! It gets better…guess who the Guest Ringmaster of the show will be? Yours Truly! What all does a Guest Ringmaster do, say, wear? I don’t know! Lol! But it was something on my bucket list…well technically, when I was still in my “mommy fog” with a newborn, toddler, & preschooler, I said I wanted to runaway and join the circus, but this is close enough! So, join me Friday & watch me live out one of my 100 things to do before I turn 100 Bucket List items 😉

WHERE
The Seagate Convention Centre in downtown Toledo, OH.
SHOW DATE & TIME
Friday, March 15, 2019: 4:00PM
DOORS OPEN: Doors open 1 hour before the show
Tickets
CLICK HERE to purchase your $10 tickets today!! These are going FAST!
BY PHONE (Ticketmaster) 1-800-745-3000 or 1-800-GO-CIRCUS
IN PERSON at the Huntington Center Box Office
Experience the wholesome family entertainment the circus provides for just $10 a ticket. This year the Circus returns to Toledo to once again provide an array of breathtaking acts for your enjoyment. As the lights dim, close your program, sit back in your seat and witness the excitement of these fantastic acts…..

Circus Acts
- Hilarious Clowns
- Trapeze Performances
- High Wire Acts
- Motorcycles
- BMX
- Contortionists
- And MORE!
Thanks to $10 tickets going out to dinner afterwards might be back on the table!
Who’s attending the show Friday at 4pm?
NDA Summer Camps 2019 (Early Bird Registration)

Sewing, fencing, cooking, & coding camps oh my!! Are we still in Toledo?! This must be a dream…a dream come true! Italian cooking, Fused glass, Fun with Food, Beginner Piano, 3-D Printing, Sitters camp, High School Placement Test Prep Camp, and more! Girls can build their courage and confidence, grow those brain cells, and achieve their heart’s desire thanks to NDA’s awesome Summer Camp 2019 lineup.
But wait, it get better…prepare to be blown away! Now through the end of March they are offering an early bird special, sign up today and receive $25 off summer camps.
NDA Summer Camps 2019

Cake Decorating 101
Grades: (4-5) and (6-8)
Session 1 (6/3 – 6/6)
Session 2 (6/10 – 6/13)
Camp participants will learn many techniques for decorating their very own cakes! Over the course of the camp, we will practice general frosting, writing, making flowers, borders, and other frosting techniques. Additionally, we will practice writing with frosting, making flowers, borders and coloring frosting.
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
STEM
Grades: (K-3) and (4-8)
Session 2 (6/10 – 6/13)
Session 3 (6/17 – 6/20)
STEM is perfectly suited to kids' natural desires to explore, experiment and get a little messy! Students will explore science, technology, engineering and math with fun, hands-on activities and always with a focus on learning.
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Make it, Bake it, Take it
Grades: (4-8)
Session 2 (6/10 – 6/13)
Session 3 (6/17 – 6/20)
In this hand-on baking camp students will learn how to make simple kid-friendly recipes they can make at home on their own all summer long. Starting with the basic techniques every good baker needs to know, you’ll learn to be a “wiz” in the kitchen!
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Creative Crafters
Grades (K-3)
Session 2 (6/10-6/13)
Let’s get those creative juices flowing under the summer sun! Please join us as we make slime, build castles, color drawings and utilize nature to CREATE ARTISTIC MASTERPIECES! You won’t want to miss out on the fun!
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)

Fencing and Archery
Grades: (4-8)
Session 2 (6/10 – 6/13)
FENCING: Learn the basic positions, footwork, terminology, safety rules, etiquette and the sportsmanship of foil fencing. In partnered drills, students will learn to advance, retreat, thrust, lunge, parry and riposte, culminating in a fencing tournament!
ARCHERY: Learn basic techniques and various types of shooting, eye dominance, archery safety rules, warm-up exercise, proper shooting techniques, “basic steps”, grouping and consistency and scoring, culminating in shooting contests!
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Beginning Piano
Grades: (K-3) and (4-8)
Session 2 (6/10 – 613)
Session 3 (6/17 – 6/20)
Please join us for a busy, fun-filled week, as we learn the basics of playing the piano. You will learn to read sheet music by the end of the week! You will also gain experience and knowledge that will help you continue on your musical journey!
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)

Art Studio Sampler
Grades: (6-8)
Session 2 (6/10 – 6/13)
Each day will feature visual journaling techniques to make your sketchbooks inspired and engaging followed by in-depth exploration of a new media: Drawing, Painting, Ceramics and Graphic Design. The artistic adventure will close with a studio gallery feature, showcasing your new artistic masterpieces!
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Yoga
Grades: (6-8)
Session 2 (6/10 – 6/13)
Students will practice a variety of pose sequences designed to help them discover greater strength, flexibility, and stress-relief. Asanas (postures) are practiced at an age appropriate pace with attention to alignment, meditation, mindfulness, and self-acceptance. All levels of yoga experience welcome!
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)

Sew Creative (Beginner)
Grades: (4-8)
Session 2 (6/10 – 6/13)
Our introductory class is designed for new sewers with minimal or no experience. Learn the fundamentals of operating a sewing machine and basic stitching techniques. Discover what types of needles are suitable for different fabrics and how to prepare the machine tension for different fabrics and much more. Students will create two projects to take home with them to show off their skills!
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Sew Creative (Advanced)
Grades: (4-8)
Session 3 (6/17 – 6/20)
This advanced class is designed for sewers with experience. We want them to continue to learn the fundamentals of operating a sewing machine and basic stitching techniques and also learn techniques for more advanced projects.
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)

Italian Cooking
Grades: (4-8)
Session 2 (6/10 – 6/13)
Session 3 (6/17 – 6/20)
Kids will have a blast learning to make Italian favorites including, fresh pasta, homemade sauces and more in this hands-on cooking class! You will be amazed at the delicious Italian meals you can make with a little know-how and a few fresh ingredients. The techniques they learn here will stick with the rest of their lives. Ciao!
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Girl’s Code
Grades: (6-8)
Session 2 (6/10-6/13)
During this introductory week of this course, you will learn basic coding language and how to “mark-up” web documents using HTML. Additionally, you will learn how to style your own webpage documents, using CSS, which is the “presentational code” behind the website.
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Fused Glass
Grades: (K-3) and (4-8)
Session 2 (6/10 – 6/13)
Session 3 (6/17 – 6/20)
By learning to fuse and slump glass, participants will create their own “works of art” in this hands-on camp! Come join us, and release your “inner artist!”
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Fun with Food
Grades: (K-3)
Session 2 (6/10 – 6/13)
Session 3 (6/17 – 6/20)
In this hands-on camp students will have fun with food and learn how to make simple kid-friendly recipes they can make at home on their own!
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)

Safe Sitter
Ages: (11-14)
Session 2 (6/11)
Session 3 (6/18)
Participants in this course will learn the “basics” of child care. Topics will include engaging in age-appropriate activities, safety, security and handling emergency situations and managing those hard-earned dollars! Basic child care skills will include diapering, feeding and maintaining a safe environment. Students will learn how to properly administer CPR in a life-threatening emergency, such as choking.
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Cookie Crazy
Grades: (K-3)
Session 3 (6/17 – 6/20)
Session 4 (6/24 – 6/27)
The Cookie Crazy Camp is just as it sounds–tons of fun baking and creating cookies at NDA! Campers will spend four days learning to use cut outs, refining their frosting skills, decorating techniques, and more!
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)

3D Printing
Grades: (3-5) and (6 – 8)
Session 3 (6/17 – 6/20)
Session 4 (6/24 – 6/27)
Participants in 3D Printing camp will use the engineering design process along with 3D printing technology to invent a prototype to solve a problem. Simple computer aided design software will be used to navigate their idea to a tangible object.
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Voice and Performance Skills
Grades: (5-6) and (7-8)
Session 4 (6/24 – 6/27)
Discover tips and techniques on how to become a better-rounded performer! Come sharpen your audition skills by improving vocal technique and your ability to learn choreography and movement on the stage. You will also discover the art of character development and acting through music in this funand dynamic camp!
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Theatre Camp
Grades: (5-6) and (7-8)
Session 4 (6/24 – 6/27)
Bring out your “inner actress” in this creative and action packed camp! Develop your creativity, learn about costumes, play theater games and more throughout the week.
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
High School Placement test Prep
Grades: (7-8)
Session 4 (6/24 – 6/27)
NDA’s stellar faculty will teach 8th grade girls how to be more confident and prepared for the High School Placement Test (HSPT). During the four-day collaborative course, students will review the test design, learn general standardized test-taking strategies, and explore the test content in an interactive, energetic classroom environment. On the last day, students will take a full-length graded practice test.
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Writer’s Café
Grades: (6-8)
Session 4 (6/24 – 6/27)
We will start with games to get your creative juices flowing, then you will delve into creative, short story and/or poetry writing and/ or illustration. Along the way, we will work on strengthening your writing skills!
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Edible Experiments
Grades: (4-8)
Session 4 (6/24 – 6/27)
Tantalize your taste buds with these crazy experiments! Our edible science camp encourages kids to explore the world around them using hands on activities and tasty recipes. They will learn the basics of biology and chemistry in a fun and educational environment.
Cost: $85 (Early Bird Special $60 before 3/31/19)
Share with friends, set up that carpool, and do it fast, with prices like this these camps will fill up fast!!! And with prices like these you can sign up your daughter, granddaughter, niece, etc. for multiple camps and sessions!
Lenten Journey
“At this time, make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position and that your seat belt is correctly fastened”….it’s Ash Wednesday, here we go!! Today is the official day of take-off, our Lenten journey begins today. Did you pack accordingly? Do you have your itinerary ready? What about shoes, did you pack the right shoes? You don’t want to get blisters! The truth of the matter is most of us are spending more time contemplating footwear for a mini-vacation than we do our entire 40 day Lenten journey. Why? Because, when that flight attendant rolls her cart on down the aisle we will just abstain from pop or alcohol and we’re good, done! Lent just means you give up something, right? If we think of Lent as a Journey and we just gave up drinking something on a journey, without any additional attention to details we wouldn’t get much further than the airport. Thus, what if we treated our Lenten journey with the same respect, time, & attention to detail that we would treat any other journey?
When you take a journey somewhere you need to:
1-Research and map out your journey
When you go on a trip you usually first determine the date of your journey, any special considerations that need to be made, and map out the days
- Lent begins Wednesday March 6th and ends Thursday April 18th
- Sundays are not included in the 40 days of Lent
- Sundays we go to Church
- Ash Wednesday & Fridays during Lent we abstain from meat
2- Make list of items you will need to pack
- Prayer
- Fasting
- Almsgiving
3-Make your itinerary
- Get out your calendar/planner and plan your 40 days of Lent


CLICK HERE for Walk the Lenten Path Calendar
Once you’ve planned for your journey accordingly all that’s left is to make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position & let the Holy Spirit take flight!
How does your itinerary look? What will you be adding to and/or abstaining from during your Lenten journey?
Shrine Circus Family 4-Pack Tickets Giveaway
WINNER ANNOUNCED!!! Sabrina is the winner! Congratulations!!!
A Toledo Tradition! Since their first Circus in 1952, Zenobia Shriners have presented an annual Circus here in Toledo & are excited to present another opportunity for friends and neighbors to gather Thursday, March 14 – Sunday, March 17, 2019 and experience the wholesome family entertainment the circus provides. This year the Circus returns to Toledo to once again provide an array of breathtaking acts for your enjoyment. As the lights dim, close your program, sit back in your seat and witness the excitement of these fantastic acts…..

Circus Acts
•Hilarious Clowns
•Trapeze Performances
•High Wire Acts
•Motorcycles
•BMX
•Contortionists
•And MORE!

WHERE
The 2019 circus will be in the Seagate Convention Centre in downtown Toledo, OH

SHOW DATES & TIMES
Thursday, March 14, 2019: 6:30PM
Friday, March 15, 2019: 4:00PM / 7:30PM
Saturday, March 16, 2019: 11:00AM / 3:00PM / 7:00PM
Sunday, March 17, 2019: 1:00PM / 5:00PM
DOORS OPEN: Doors open 1 hour before the show
Tickets
ONLINE at http://www.ticketmaster.com/
BY PHONE (Ticketmaster) 1-800-745-3000 or 1-800-GO-CIRCUS
IN PERSON at the Huntington Center Box Office and at the Zenobia Shrine
Office located at 8048 Broadstone Rd. Perrysburg, OH 43551
CONTEST
Enter to win family 4-pack tickets for opening night, Thursday, March 14, 2019: 6:30PM
HOW TO ENTER:
1-Share this post on Facebook
2- Comment on the BLOG with the answer to the following question: Who are you going to take with you to the show?
Winner randomly selected Friday, March, 8th @ 9am
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: 25% off select performances/seats! (Discount Code in Post)
Hold your breath, make a wish, count to three…come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination in Toledo, Ohio. Toledo, Ohio?! That’s right! Roald Dahl’s amazing tale is now Toledo’s golden ticket! It’s the perfect recipe for a delectable treat: songs from the original film, including “Pure Imagination,” “The Candy Man,” and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” alongside a toe-tapping and ear-tickling new score from the songwriters of Hairspray. Get ready for Oompa-Loompas, incredible inventions, the great glass elevator, and more, more, more at this everlasting showstopper!

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory will be live on stage at the Stranahan Theater, March 19-23! And Mom on the go in Holy Toledo followers have the opportunity to receive 25% off select performances/seats!
WHERE:
Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo, OH, 43614
SHOW DATES & TIMES:
Tuesday, March 19, 2019: 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019: 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 21, 2019: 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 21, 2019: 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 22, 2019: 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 23, 2019: 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 23, 2019: 8 p.m.

TICKET INFO
Click on link for ticket info, https://bit.ly/2TaJy3r
DISCOUNT
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo followers have the opportunity to be receive 25% off select performances/seats!
DISCOUNT CODE:
Use Code: WONKA at checkout to receive 25% off
Tag family/friends and make plans to see the performance together…make an afternoon/night of it…stop off for lunch/dinner before the performance
Infertility happens…and it sucks!
The “Infertility worksheet”, she handed it to us after eight months of trying and four months of charting. I sat for a few seconds staring at the boldness of each letter. It was official, it was written in ink, it was the stamp that sealed the deal- we had infertility issues. Well I guess we knew we did, after almost a year without success and then finally seeking professional help for fertility. Infertility can be a long and lonely journey filled with hopeless dreams and endless heartache. Read more
Time to REBOOT the Family Goals for 2019
Did you set Realistic Family Goals for 2019?
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the mass popularity of resolution-setting at the start of each year. With everyone setting broad aspirations for themselves in all areas of their lives, it can be difficult to decide what areas of your own life should be your focus for positive growth and development. When these feelings of confusion and indecisiveness set in, it’s sometimes helpful to bring your attention to the thing that means the most to you in this world: your family. Making your family the central focus of your goals for the New Year can help you to decide what your priorities are and how, specifically, you want to improve life for yourself and for the people you care about most. I know we are two months into the New Year but it is never too last to set those goals….better yet, what if you set goals each month? March is just around the corner, let’s set the following goals for the first of March; and let’s officially REBOOT the Family Goals for 2019!!

Pick Up a New Hobby Together
Have your kids expressed interest in playing a sport, taking dance lessons, or learning an instrument? Encourage their curiosity, and find a way to support them in starting their new activity! Take them to the park to kick around a soccer ball, or show them the basics of an instrument you might already know how to play.
Better yet, seek out new activities that you and your child can do for the first time together! Enroll in a community art class, or take an afternoon to learn how to go geocaching. Pursue opportunities that will help you both to learn a fun new skill while maximizing the amount of quality time you get to spend with each other.
Introduce the Kids to Something You Once Loved
What games did you love to play when you were growing up? What music did you listen to? Did you have any unusual (or decade-specific) hobbies or interests?
Give the kids a better sense of who you were as a child and what made you into the person you are today. Show them some of the things you loved when you were their age, and teach them something about the way the world used to be. Get them away from their screens for a while, and prove to them that fun can still be had while being present in the non-virtual world.

Plan a Mini-Vacation
Can’t swing a week-long trip to Disney this year? Take a weekend to go on a road trip instead! Whether it’s to a nearby lake, the next state over, or the town you grew up in, spending a couple of days of light travel with the kids can make for an incredible bonding opportunity. If you can manage it, make it a tech-free weekend for everyone so you can properly enjoy each other’s company. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant or expensive– if the focus is placed on the time you’re spending together and the experiences you’re sharing, mini-vacations can be some of the most meaningful experiences of your children’s young lives.
Tackle Your Finances
Make this the year you take full control of your financial life. Spend some time learning how to properly budget your personal expenses. Treat deposits to your savings like a regularly scheduled bill payment, and get on a consistent schedule of building up your account. If your kids are at an age where they’re starting to be able to understand money, open up a candid dialogue with them about the family’s finances. If you’re still working on paying off college debt, explore the possibility of refinancing your student loans to lower the monthly cost. Get to work on your taxes well in advance to avoid due date stress. When you’re able to accurately keep track of where your money is going and how it’s being allocated, you’ll find that you’ll have a greater capacity for devoting your attention to the things that are most important to you.
Pursue New Experiences, Not New Items
It might be tempting to spend your extra cash on a cute date night outfit, new exercise equipment, or the latest XBox for the kids, but why not instead put that money toward making memories with the people you love? Material possessions are ultimately temporary, and while they might bring you happiness in the short term, they aren’t the things that will bring your life greater meaning. On the other hand, going to new places and trying out new activities with your family will bring you shared joy, renewed closeness, and broadened perspectives on the world that will last you a lifetime.
Happy March 2019! Let’s make it a great one!









