Every year at this time I debate what my New Year’s resolutions should be. Or whether or not I should bother making any at all. I’m trying to think of something attainable but not automatic. Well, maybe automatically attainable.

I always resolve to exercise more and eat less. Of course, as I sit on my butt typing these words, I’m trying hard not to get the Christmas cookie crumbs in the computer keys. I did get a nice pair of warm workout gloves under the tree for my early-morning brisk walks. Of course, they still have the tags on them.

Another resolution I’m famous for making is to watch less television and read more books. The only problem is it only works for the time between the end of football season and the beginning of spring training, which this year will last 12 days. Unless of course, you count Sports Illustrated or the local sports page as a book (which I read while SportsCenter is on the tube).

I could promise myself that I’d cut the grass before it’s too long, weed the flowerbeds before the greens outnumber the colors, or wash the cars before my kids leave me notes on the windshields. But I know better than to think those resolutions would still be intact come the spring thaw.

So rather than making resolutions that I know won’t last much past when this column goes to print, instead I’m going to make one that I not only need to fulfill, but should fulfill. One that I want to make sure I do, will cost absolutely nothing and will make everyone involved just a little bit happier.

I, Jon Buzby, resolve to spend 30 uninterrupted minutes with my two boys when I walk in the door after work. My e-mail and snail mail can wait, the late edition of the news will cover the same stories as the early one does, and the morning newspaper will already be old news. My wife will be thrilled to have two fewer kids (three if you count me, like she does) to worry about while she’s trying to get dinner ready.

My oldest son is almost 16, the other almost 1. I know from experience that time flies. And I’ve learned from having lived through one child’s early childhood that I need to treasure any time I can get with my kids. Whether it’s building a block tower only to watch it fall, laughing at “Sesame Street” or finding out how the latest test or practice went, that initial 30 minutes after work is going to be my time with my boys.

They will get bored with me much faster than I will them; and once that time is over the evening routine will begin. Dinner will be eaten, homework will get finished, lunches will be made, e-mails will be answered and newspapers read, and everything else that happens on a weeknight will go on.

But for that brief time after work, all of that can wait. That 30 minutes is going to be my time with my boys.

Are your resolutions attainable?

Here’s to a happy, healthy new year!

‹ Jon Buzby is a nationally syndicated columnist and father of two sons. He can be reached via his Web site, www.jonbuzby.com.