Mi Vida as a Planner

As a mom to a 10-year-old boy, I can’t help but think how different things were when I was his age in the 80’s. I am constantly taken aback by the generational differences in everyday things like attitude, food, entertainment, school, play, safety, health, and general well-being. I think we all agree that life was simpler then, which begs the question: has the proliferation of technology and all the advancements made parenting and childhood more complicated? I’m a Gen-X’er and proud of it. We didn’t have the iPads, the iPhones, the iAnythings. What we did have was the iSelf, nothing more, nothing less. We had to figure out what to do with ourselves. In my case, it was fervently finishing my homework after school so that I could get outside to play with my best friend until dinner-time. I had no one watching over me and we would literally wander off far from home…gasp!   Those outings were basically the beacon of my childhood. At home, my mom was super doting, always making...

I love this time of the year! I welcome fresh starts, new beginnings, new dreams, and the exciting feeling of a brand new year. It’s like a blank book waiting to be filled out. You hold the pen in your hand and the future is at your disposal. What would our lives be like without dreams to pursue, regardless whether it’s a new year or not? I’m thankful for all the dreams my parents had and the sacrifices they made embarking in a new country when I was very young. It’s their dreams and perseverance that got me to where I am today. When my parents first arrived to the U.S., (at the beginning of a new year coincidentally), they aimed to fulfill the “American Dream.” For them (and most Latin American immigrants), the American Dream consisted of learning English, having a steady, long-term job, buying a big house and a car, saving money, and ensuring their kids were safe and able to obtain a quality education.   Fortunately, they were able to achieve all those dreams through...