New Years Resolutions for Parents and how to achieve them : New Year is a time to wipe the slate clean for everyone and create some resolutions to make life easier and better. And for parent’s this is a great way to learn from mistakes and move forward without blaming yourself. We take a look at some great New Year’s resolutions that are easy to implement and we also take a look at how to incorporate some New Year’s resolutions with your family too. You might be surprised at what comes out of the mouths of your babes!
1. Say Goodbye to “Don’t”
Try and get rid of the word “don’t”. Kids hear this all the time. Try a softer approach like “Please stop doing that,” as opposed to, “Don’t do that.” This will help bond your relationship with your kids and will take away the negativity. Try and make a conscious effort with regards to how you speak to your children, and infuse the positivity.
2. When Work is over, it’s over
A lot of us are guilty of this sin and are constantly attached to our mobile devices to answer queries straight away as they roll in. Try and make a resolution to end work and not be present for work all the time, but to rather be present for your children instead. In order to achieve this, set yourself a goal of stopping answering emails at 5pm or 6pm and put that device away. That device could have had your attention all day but your child hasn’t.
3. Eat Together
In our time poor society, it can be really difficult to eat together as a family, but it has been proven time and time again that this builds bonds and your kids will open up to you about what they’ve experienced during their day. Try and making meals in advance over the weekend, for example, and then heat and eat and all banter together.
4. Let’s go Green
A great lesson to teach your kids and New Year’s resolution is to go green as a family. They are the future and we need to raise kids who are aware of what is happening on our precious planet. You can start small, by sending digital cards instead of paper ones, recycle wrapping paper for crafts and of course putting everything in the right buckets to be recycled. This is fairly easy to implement you just have to make your children aware of why! If they know they’re making a difference to our world they will be mighty proud.
5. Make Exercise Fun
Some kids are more prone to exercise while others aren’t. It’s a good idea to incorporate fun things to do during your day like riding bikes, doing a scavenger hunt, going hiking or even geocaching. Not only will you all be getting fit, but you’ll be having an awesomely good time too! If you make this a habit, even if it’s just on the weekends, doing one thing then you’ll all have a blast and it might become a way of life.
6. Not just a Mother
It’s extremely important to realise that you aren’t just a mother and that you have a partner too. When a child comes into the world, many mothers get stuck into a rut and a routine with their little ones, barely having any sleep that they forget about their partners. Try and consider your partner in just little ways. You can be a great mom and a great partner too. Show your children what a loving and healthy marriage looks like is a gift, showing them an excellent example of what a couple should be. Whenever you feel yourself going just into mom mode, remind yourself of your duty as a wife too and pay attention to your partner.
7. A Little Patience goes a Long Way
We all have our days where we’re tired, irritable and impatient. Don’t try and beat yourself up about it, but rather try and breathe, walk away and come back to the situation when you’ve calmed yourself down. Removing yourself allows you to deal with your frustration and anger and being the calm presence that all kids need.
8. Spend more time together
You’ve no doubt heard about this, but you absolutely need to commit to spending some one-on-one time with each of your kids. This is one of the most important resolutions you can make. Even if it’s just for 20 minutes a day, get down to their level and play with them, or talk to them. It doesn’t have to take up hours of your day, but make this a habit and you’ll reap the rewards of a strong and healthy bond. This also builds emotional connections, gets rid of negative behaviour and they’ll be more cooperative too. While you’re spending time with them make sure you aren’t plugged into your devices and be there for them and them alone!
9. Routine, Routine
Two of the most stressful times during any parent’s day are the mornings, getting kids ready for school as well as the evenings when you’re trying to get the kids ready for bed. Take a look at the routine that you have and see where it can be improved to make for a happier household. You could make sure that the kids get their clothes out for school the night before, that they brush their teeth at a certain time and even pack their bags the previous evening. Also make sure that you have a good solid bedtime routine so they know what’s expected of them, for example; they eat dinner, bath, and get into their pyjamas, story time and then goodnight. You should follow this routine rigorously every day and it will become a habit.
10. Pass on some Chores
There is absolutely no reason why the kids shouldn’t be helping around the house with age-appropriate tasks. This will take a load off of your shoulders and give your kids some responsibility. In order to achieve this talk to your kids and tell them exactly what is expected of them on a daily basis. You can even have a chart that reminds them of what they need to do.
11. Say Yes More
Have you ever uttered “Sorry I can’t do it now as I’m too busy,” when your kids ask you to do something with them. We all have. Try and say yes to them. If you spend that quality family time together you’ll notice a much closer bond forming.
12. No Worries
Yes, we should all try and keep kids safe, but try not to worry about everyday small things. If you’re worrying about them, you can almost be guaranteed that they will too, as they pick up everything from us as parents. Let them actively explore the world around them. You need to try and let go of the reins a bit and let them be kids.
13. Listen to your Kids
We are often so busy with the mundane tasks that take up our days that we forget to really listen to our kids and what they’re trying to tell us. Show interest and ask them questions like “What do you think,” “What are you feeling,” “Tell me about it,” or even “What would you do.” This is again very achievable by just listening more and talking less.
14. Stop Negotiating
Kids are born negotiators, but we often don’t explain why to them why we might not want them to do anything or why we’ve made certain decisions. If they don’t understand the ‘why’ they’ll keep pestering you in that way that only kids can. Try and make a constant effort to explain to your kids the what, where and why of what you are saying. You are the parent and you shouldn’t be entering into a negotiation battle. Be conscious of this, and as soon as you remember this, you will stop the negotiation train.
15. Read to your Kids
It is so important to read to your kids, so try and make this a New Year’s resolution that sticks. Choose a time of day that works for both of you, but often this is ideal before bed where you can snuggle up and read them a great story. Make sure this is part of your night time routine and that regardless of how you are feeling; you need to commit to this.
There are some great ideas for you to implement, but another fantastic way to bring the New Year in is to make resolutions with your kids. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
How to make New Year’s Resolutions with your Kids
As the New Year comes around we tend to take stock of what we dislike, but you should get your kids involved too. They will learn about self-discipline and the value of making goals. Take a look at our tips to help make the kids part of the New Year resolutions for the family.
16. Make It a Family Activity
The best way to teach your children the importance of New Year’s resolutions is to make it a family tradition. Each December you can all sit around and take stock of the past year, remembering what went really well, like accomplishments and achievements as well as where there is room for improvement. Everybody in the family gets their say. Figure out what worked and what didn’t.
17. Share it out Loud
When you create traditions like this, let each family member to share something they are proud of and something they want to improve. It may help for parents to go first, to give children a model. If your child is old enough to write, he or she should write down their accomplishments and goals, and you can help your younger child by writing theirs down.
18. What Resolutions can you think about?
Some resolutions for the entire family might include taking a monthly hike, playing board games twice a month or doing some volunteering. Remember they need to be goals that are achievable. Once you’ve all had your say, either put the resolutions on a board, or put them in a bucket and as you do each one, you can tick it off and the kids can see how they’ve achieved something.
19. Take a Healthy Lead
It doesn’t matter how old your child is, but they are more likely to understand the value of goal setting if you take the lead. Just as with everything else you do, your child is watching. Creating this family tradition and it will promote good mental and physical health.
You need to think about how you can include your kids in your resolutions. For example you could say that, “I’m going to eat more vegetables this year because it’s good for me. Do you want to join me?”
Of course you can also resolve to leave your computer or your phone when working hours are over. Ask them to remind you and they will feel empowered.
20. Rewards Are Long Lasting
We all know the feeling of meeting a goal, whether it be losing five pounds, or putting in extra hours to earn a promotion. Children also relish that thrill of accomplishment, especially when their parents acknowledge it.
Give them a little nudge and go over your accomplishments as a family and acknowledge how well they’ve done. A little praise goes a long way. Also take a look at areas that need a little extra work to spur them on. You will see their self-esteem soar as they receive that awesome praise! This will in turn help them to become a healthy and well-balanced adult.
21. No Punishments
When you sit down to take a look at your resolutions, this is not the time for punishment. It’s important to be flexible and understanding, especially if your child is making an effort. Don’t ever penalise them if they haven’t reached a goal yet. Remember goals are not carved in stone, but act as a guide.
However your family arrives at resolutions, the best part is that you’re doing it together and learning how to manage your role not only in the family but also in the world around you.
