Say au revior to 2010 and hello to 2011. The New Year is rapidly approaching and many welcome it with great excitement. It’s a fresh start; a New Year, a New You and resolutions are rampant. According to usa.gov, the most common New Year resolutions include drinking less, getting fit, saving money, and volunteering more. What are your New Year’s resolutions? Have you thought about them yet?
It is curious that the list did not include anything that would particularly deepen or strengthen the relationships within the family. Families are incredibly important and deserving of our time, our attention and worthy to be the focus of a New Year’s resolution. In addition to your personal goals, why not make New Year Family Resolutions?
Let’s face it, parenting is hard! Families are made up of imperfect people loving each other imperfectly. Communication fails, feelings get hurt, and fights break out—you are probably nodding your head in agreement. Sitting down with your family to compile a list of goals for 2011 could be a step in the right direction. So, order a pizza, sit around the table with pen and paper in hand and get started!
You may be wondering where to start. First you need to know how to set a goal. Goal-setting-guide.com gives useful information on goal-setting. They say that goals should be S.M.A.R.T.—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic & Timely. Take turns letting each member share their vision for the family in 2011. Then decide if your goals meet the S.M.A.R.T criteria.
Need ideas for New Year’s Family Resolutions? Feel free to adopt the following ideas:
Resolve to have dinner together, pick a family game night, work on communication skills, and go on more picnics, family walks or camping trips. Plan a weekend getaway, frequent trips to the library, play sports together, have a movie night, vow to read at least twenty minutes a day to your children. Create a family chore chart, watch home-videos, share hopes, dreams and plans for the future. Make it a point to say only positive things to each other, say “I love you” more, and give frequent compliments.
Once your family has completed its resolutions, hang them in a spot of all to see. Revisit this list from time to time; check off each goal as you obtain it and create new ones as you need to.
Now it can be a "Happy New Year to a Happy Family!"
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