Happy 2008! With the new year comes fresh starts, new plans and renewed outlook on what the next 12 months will have in store. So what goals and aspirations do Canadian parents have for their families? We asked, you answered.

Making Each Moment Count
“Spending more quality time as a family is a big goal for 2008. I mostly work evenings and weekends while my significant other works shifts, we don’t have a lot of time to spend together as a family. What little time we have, we try our best to make it count. Little things like dinner together, or a family movie on Sunday or Monday evening become really imperative.”
— Jennifer Temoin, mom of Garren, 10, Toronto, ON

Time Well Spent
“Now that my kids are grown, I am hoping to incorporate more ‘family’ times like just getting together for dinner which right now rarely happens and is a challenge. The big one I am really hoping for is to take a family summer vacation to Europe!”
— Elvira Martinovic, mom of Paul, 21, and Luka, 18, Toronto, ON

Out with the Old, In with the New
“This year our family resolves to spend more time doing things as a family and leave the past in the past. We plan to look forward to the future and live in the present to the fullest of our abilities. Enjoying the love and kindness to each other, our family and our friends.”
— David Bourgeois, dad of Zayne, 8, Toronto, ON

Through a Child’s Eye
“In 2008, I vow to see the world as my children do, full of opportunity at every turn; to live at the precise moment and allow nothing to distract me. I want to feel my emotions to their full extent, right where I am and as soon as the flood is gone, I want to bounce back and shout ‘hey, race ya home!’ Children have an uncanny ability to move from one situation to the next at lightning speed. It believe it’s a survival instinct, get up, move on, dust yourself off.

On the flip side, I want to step back and let my kids continue to experience their own lives to their fullest extent and I will close my mouth and listen more when I speak to them. My children are so full of the wonder of life; I am amazed hour after hour at their ability to resolve, create, discover, explore, and feel the world around them. What a blessing to have children! What a challenge!”
— Valery Philip, mom of Jack, 6, and Aidan, 3, Toronto, ON