When the New Year rolls around, many people look for a fresh new start, whatever that may mean to them. Some people may promise to eat healthier, some may promise to get rid of negative thoughts. Whatever it may be, the New Year gives people the chance to make positive changes in their lives. As a parent, we’re always questioning our methods. What can we change to make our children’s lives better? What can we do to create more positive life experiences for them? We’re always looking for ways to improve. Here are 10 New Year’s resolution ideas to get you started and on your way to a bright New Year!
1. Make sure your work day ends when you get home. A lot of people struggle with bringing their work home with them. For some, the work day never ends. While work is a very important part in providing for your family, there is a time and place for it. If you focus on work while at home, you may be missing out on quality time with your family. You may miss out on special moments that you’ll never get back. Make sure you wrap up your work day before you head home. Stay organized and stay ahead at work so that you can have that quality time at home with your family.
2. Be more active. Being more active doesn’t mean having to go to the gym or go for a jog. Being more active can become a family resolution. Find creative and fun ways to be active. During the winter, there are so many ways to stay active with your family. Go ice skating, build a snowman, go sledding, have a snowball fight. Make it a goal to find fun ways to keep your family happy and healthy this year.
3. Create a better home environment. Creating a better home environment can mean a variety of things depending on who you are and what your family values are. A better home environment could mean being more organized and keeping your home clean each week. A better home environment could also mean creating a more positive atmosphere. More positive thinking and encouragement and less negative thinking. It’s all up to you!
4. Have more patience. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out as a parent. There are times when everything is just too much, which can lead to actions and behaviors that we may regret later. As a parent, it is extremely important to be a good role model for your children which means being able to cope with stress, anger, etc. in a calm manner. When times get stressful, take a minute to take a breath before speaking or taking action.
5. Listen more, talk less. Be more willing to give your children more opportunities to express their emotions and feelings about situations. Show your child that you are willing to listen, and that their opinion is important to you. Listening more will teach your child to express and explain themselves to others.
6. Worry less. While your child’s safety is extremely important, it’s also important not to let every single thing that could be harmful worry you. Your child needs to be able to explore the world and take part in different activities. Teach your children how to be safe in the world and give them the tools to do so.
7. Say yes more. Say yes to more things. Say yes to spending more time with your family and friends. Say yes to the spontaneous weekend trips that you’ve wanted to go on but have always felt that you were too busy. Make room to do more fun activities with your family and make new memories.
8. Read more. It can never hurt to make more time to read with your children. Not only does it allow you to spend more time with them, it also helps develop their reading and thinking skills.
9. Expect more. Expect more out of your children. Set your expectations high when it comes to manners, responsibilities, good behavior, etc. Expect more and reward when your children follow through.
10. Connect more. Make it a point to reconnect or stay connected with those most important to you. Strengthen relationships with friends, family, and even the community.
Trying to tackle all of these resolutions may be a little much, but pick one or two that you are serious about. By simply promising to keep one or two resolutions, you are already striving to give yourself and your family a happier and brighter New Year.