Happy New Year!? Yes, we’re a little late. Forgive us? If you’re like us, your timeline has been full of people who decided January was a trial run and the new year just kicked in. That works. We all told 2022 to just roll on in here and don’t say anything or touch anything. 2022 didn’t listen and this year has been every bit the roller coaster of the previous two years. So yeah, this year hasn’t given us any breaks.

Aside from the Twitter doomscroll many of us are on, there have to be other things going on in the world, right? There have to be good things. As mothers, many times it is part of our role to look for the good in the world to put it on display for our kids. No doubt, that gig has been really hard lately. We’re up for the challenge though.

Whether it’s sharing new television shows and books with our kids, there are good things. The Mandalorian and Boba Fett have been HUGE around here! Another thing that’s taken off around these parts are Family Fun Nights every Friday. Each week a game is chosen to play as a family. Dinner is ordered and devoured before game night begins. The kids choose the game for the week. It’s a couple of hours of fun and escape from all else that is happening around us. The television is off and memories are made. That’s a win!

Another thing the kids can’t get enough of are family bike rides. Admittedly, it’s much more doable being based in Southern California. Everyone hops on their bike and takes a tour around town, stopping for lunch, a smoothie or fro-yo. Again, memories made. Bonus points for the exercise. Pow!

The thing is, every memory shouldn’t be about the things we couldn’t do because of the pandemic. Deciding to jump into things that can be done despite the pandemic is important – and necessary. While 2022 doesn’t feel hugely different than 2020 and 2021, we have to make the effort to make it feel different in whatever small way we can. We owe it to ourselves. We owe it to our kids. We owe it to our memories. So, how is your 2022 treating you?