New Year’s Resolutions are normally seen as something for just one person making it hard for a person to follow through long term. According to U.S. News, approximately 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February, so the odds are against you.
Most of the time we are more successful if we have someone working towards the same goal or holding us accountable. Most of the time looking at New Year’s Resolutions is a personal thing not a family thing.
Families can help themselves have a better year by choosing to do some things that makes the family unit stronger. Here are a few things we have found that makes your family better for the New Year.
Archive Your Families Story
Think about what you and your kids like most about your Facebook App, the “on this day” feature. We love it and so do our kids looking back at what we did in the past. This is why family photo albums and family wall still exist today. Sara De Leeuw food writer over at My Imperfect Kitchen reflected on the importance of sharing her families story when it came to recipes.
“It struck me as we were walking through each step, how hard it is to describe certain things on paper. If I had just written down the recipe, it still wouldn’t impart the taste, texture, consistency or adjustments in seasoning to get it right. That takes talking, sharing and experiencing. The connection of passing down traditions… the face-to-face stories… the conversations… those are all part of a recipe too.”
Adventure More As A Family
Getting out as a family isn’t difficult especially here in the Inland Empire. There are so many things to do and see right here in the IE! You can Hike in the Oak Glen Preserve, go to the Jurupa Discovery center, walk on the Pacific Electric Trail or grab a family meal at Corky’s Kitchen and Bakery. One of the biggest complaints people have is letting time get away from us. By taking time to plan out what we want to do and block out the time to do those activities you will find more success and getting out as a family.
Spend More Time Outside
It is no secret that technology and our busy lives keep us indoors more and more. Spending more time outside will not only help you and your family connect more but will be better for you. By just opening the windows and airing out your house you allow the inside air to be freshened and you feel better. The same goes for going outside to sit on your patio, do a family chore or throw the ball for the dog everyone feels better when we get outside. Getting outside doesn’t just have to be in your yard you can walk your downtown and explore or head to a local park and see what your city has to offer.
Practice Giving Back
The best way to raise great adults is to model what we think a good adult does. Giving back means so much more than giving your money or buying material things. You can teach your kids how to think of other peoples feelings, look for ways to show kindness to someone at school who is lonely or down. You can make some lunch kits and hand them out as a family to those in need. From showing kindness to helping someone in need sitting down as a family and planning out how to give back thought the year will pay off in the end.
Read As A Family
Reading is powerful and our kids learn about what is important from us! So if the family makes reading a priority this will transfer over into our kids lives. Pick a different book or story each time. This is a family resolution that will pay off benefits for years to come. Making kids feel more confident in school and with their peers.
Start A Family Game Night
Learn to play together and laugh. One of the best ways to put a bad day in its place is to have fun with people you care about. Also playing games as a family allows your kids to create the type of person they will grow up to be later in life. You will have fun playing as a family and your kids will learn through play on how to be a good winner or looser, play by the rules and find joy in simple things. Many games also work out developmental portions of the brain by working out critical thinking and fine motor skills.
Cook and Eat Healthier Together
Kids are more likely to eat more if they had a hand in making the food. Our kids will eat tomatoes off the vine in our garden but turn their noses up at them in the store. Instead of just saying we are going to loose weight this year sit down and plan out some new meals that can be added to the dinner rotation that are healthier for everyone. This is a good time to re-enforce issues with body images and other topics that may come out in school and with friends. Cooking and eating together brings a family closer and you may just learn something you never knew about your loved ones.
All of these suggested topics are ways that you can break the statistic of breaking your resolution by February and may help you keep more personal resolutions long term. Banding together as a family unit will give you the accountability you need to stick it out and your kids will be happier knowing that they have come together as a family to accomplish goals for a new year!