I have a confession to make: I am commitment-phobic.

I prefer to think I am hesitant, rather than have a fear of making a commitment to something. Hesitant, because we have three unpredictable children, something (almost) always comes up or gets in the way.

I commit as much as I have to. I’ll be on the substitute list or bring supplies, but I’m not so sure about this overnight camping thing.

“Call me if something happens, I’ll be at the hotel down the street.”

It’s easier to just say, “No.” And to do so from the get-go rather than explain that something came up, or someone is tired or sick (or grounded) again.

I like a routine. Neurotic? Maybe, but a routine keeps me happy. By not committing, I ensure our family stays on task and bedtime comes early enough to avoid grumpy kids who are late for the bus the next morning (thus messing up our routine again).

No: It’s a simple two-letter word that is at the pinnacle of my vocabulary these days.

“No! Stop! Do not climb on the bookshelf!”

“Can you open a Facebook account?! NO.”

“Can we meet you for dinner Friday evening (after a long week with three tired, crabby kids)? OK! Yes, that sounds fun … but, well, Fridays are hard. Maybe not.”

My husband is a Yes Man. He is a live-in-the-moment kind of guy.

He’s a good yin to my yang. He’s not only committed to our family but also this past summer he committed to exercise.

Exercise is a four-letter word for me. I get plenty of it chasing our brood of kids around. But, then my husband completed a half-marathon. He ran 13.1 miles — on purpose. His enthusiasm was inspiring.

So, inspiring in fact, that I went jogging the next day around the neighborhood — not the living room — and I was not screaming “get back here!” at anyone.

Now (drum-roll, please) I have even committed to completing a 5K on Thanksgiving. There, it’s in writing. Unless my legs are broken, I have to do it.

I admit it’s not my favorite activity (shopping for running shoes was fun!), but I do it.

The best part? Albeit it has been baby steps, I’ve committed to a few other things, too; things with my kids that are above and beyond supplying disinfecting wipes.

My oldest son has been jogging with me and follows me on his bike. I stepped up and helped at a Cub Scout meeting with our younger son and went on a field trip with our daughter (please hold your applause).

I’m not ready to be PTO president, but, even if it is spontaneous, committing to these little things have been a big deal.

Turns out I can be “That Mom,” and for now, my kids think she’s pretty cool.