Make New Year’s resolutions a family affair
It’s the time of year when we make our New Year’s Resolutions. We have good intentions, but often fail to follow through. We often fail to follow through with our resolutions despite the best of intentions. Many of us fail to achieve our goals because we set unrealistic ones or lack the support system necessary to help us stay on track. Make sure your goal is specific, measurable and achievable within a reasonable time frame. Being supported and held accountable by others will further help you reach your goal, so consider making resolutions as a family.
Families Who Make Goals Together Keep Goals Together
While making a family resolution may seem as sensible as herding cats, it’s worth the effort. Setting family resolutions is only effective if everyone feels involved. To make everyone feel invested in the shared goals, they must be acknowledged and treated equally by all members of the family. You will have the best chance of achieving shared goals if everyone feels like they are invested. If you run with a friend every day, you are more likely to keep going forward because you feel supported. Making goals public to your family and working together to achieve them provides the outside encouragement we all need to keep resolutions.
Alone You Will Struggle; Together You Will Thrive
Many of our routines are built around work and family, but your autonomy and ability to make personal changes to your life can be undermined by your greater responsibilities. If you want to eat better or exercise more, your family will be more likely to support you. You may be able to stick with salads for a while, but the temptation of pepperoni pizza will increase when everyone else is eating it. Some resolutions are easier to keep as a family. You may be the only person in your family who wants to lose weight, or improve their diet. But there are ways to get everyone to work together. Children and adults need to get enough sleep. But for some families, bedtimes are considered a guideline and not a rule, and if they are a rule, they only apply to young children.
This year, make a mandatory lights-out time for everyone, yourself included. It may be necessary to shut down the electronic devices of children to ensure that everyone goes to sleep at the same time.
2. Unplug Devices
Creating “unplugged” times is a great way to decompress after a stressful day, and to wind down towards bedtime. Electronic devices can be turned off so that everyone can relax or read without electronics. Sleep experts suggest unplugging electronics about an hour before bedtime.
3. Eat Together
Eating together is the best way to develop better eating habits, and introduce new foods or healthier ones to your diet. You should try to eat dinner and breakfast with your partner. This is a wonderful way to spend time with your family and enjoy great food. (Especially if you prepare it together). Create Reading Time
If you want to read more, have your family go to the library every week. Most families find that Saturday is the best day to go to the library. Create “electronics free” areas in your home, and set aside a specific time for everyone to read. Exercise as a Family
Everyone can enjoy the health benefits of exercise, which are almost endless. Exercise not only helps you feel better, but it also reduces stress. You can encourage your children to participate in sports by coaching their teams. If you are unable to coach, you can cheer them on at their games. Working towards a financial goal
As a parent, you might feel that it’s inappropriate to discuss your finances with your kids, especially if there is outstanding debt. Being open with your family about finances and setting financial goals together are surprising ways to prepare your children for their adulthood. Switch out the Soda
Your wallet and your family doctor will both thank you if you don’t stock your home with soda. Try replacing your favorite sodas with flavored carbonated waters instead. This will not only prevent your child from gaining weight and eating too much sugar, but will also teach them to make healthier decisions.
8. Reduce your meat intake and increase your vegetable consumption by cooking meatless dishes one day per week. It is better for you and your wallet to eat less red meat. Eating less meat in general is also good for the planet. It is best to start as soon as possible. By introducing new foods to children at an early age, they will be more open-minded and expand their palates. They may also become vegetarians themselves. Everyone wins. This will bring your family closer.
