IF MOM IS HAPPY, EVERYONE IS HAPPY! Large families are great. There's lots of laughter, love, and just stuff, never a dull moment. A lot of work goes into running a family no matter what size. I have found that harmony in the home can only be kept if everyone works together. From my 5 year old to my husband, everyone has responsibility!

You must designate exactly what the responsibility will be. You must draw a map! Your plan must be in writing. I’ve found I would get less resistance when it is written down. I did laminate the list so my children could check things off as they did them. The younger ones especially love this.

Implementing your plan may take a little more ingenuity. Don't give in! IT MUST BE DONE! I use this as a motivator. "IT MUST BE DONE!" The kids usually laugh when I start parading this throughout the house. However, at times I will use NO work NO TV.

I am not sure why so many of today's Moms feel everything is just their responsibility. Doing chores has been around forever. Working together will only make the dynamics of the family even stronger. And for new moms, it is never too early to start.

PARENTING - ENTITLEMENT! I am a mother of 4. My children are ages 13, 11, 7 and 5. I have woken each day since my first was born with the intention of making their world the best it can possibly be. Making sure every detail of their lives was as perfect as I could make it. My existence had been this and only this. I just knew at that time that this was my calling; the maker of all things happy and good.

Like they say with age comes wisdom. I do jokingly say to my friends "Yep, I screwed up that one!” mostly in reference to my oldest. Don't get me wrong, my oldest is very bright, smart, beautiful young lady. However, she feels to many times that she is entitled to everything opposed to possibly earning it or not getting it at all.

I look at my other 3 children for which whom entitlement isn't a word I would use for them and I can identify what I didn't know when my oldest was little. Coping with frustration, not getting your way, doing things without reward are some of the most valuable lessons. Teaching our children this from the start will help make the years to come easier.

If in life we could get the DO OVER, this would be mine. Things were be different. I would set better boundaries, make sure the boundaries were realistic and definitely not think my child was entitled to the perfect life - There isn't such a thing! So, I would say happy parenting but it's not always happy.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We are all so excited to start the New Year off with a BANG! New Year's resolutions, goals, the pursuit of health and happiness, all of these thoughts come flooding in January 1st each year. Simplifying life is always top on my list especially in respect to my children. Always start with a list, be specific and realistic!

For example, bedtime for your baby/toddler. If your baby's bedtime is too late or sporadic, setting a goal for this and accomplishing it first will alleviate stress and make more time for the other things on your list. The internet is full of helpful ideas and information. Having your baby on a routine may require some trial and error but it can be accomplished. This will make you and your baby much happier.

Another great one is diet for you and your baby. Eating healthier will give you more energy and drive. Trying out more of a variety of foods on your baby will improve your baby's health and eating habits as he/she gets older. I ventured out with my 3rd child's diet and she definitely eats much healthier now then my other children.

Organization has also been a big one on my list. Every New Year in my house, we (meaning the whole family) will go room to room reorganizing. This is always great fun when everyone is participating. All kids especially toddler love to empty things and sorting and labeling are enjoyed as well. When done, you will spend less time maintaining your house and more time living.

Whatever goals you set face them one at a time. Each time you’re successful will only make the next time easier. AGAIN, HAPPY NEW YEAR!