Happy 2011!
As we bid farewell to 2010 and welcome in 2011, here are some suggestions for a “Top 10” list of New Year’s Resolutions for parents and families. Undertaking huge changes in our parenting routines is unrealistic, so I’ve tried to make each idea easy to implement. Consider these for your 2011 goals (or come up with your own!)
1. CREATE A FAMILY CALENDAR: With technology nowadays, many of us have calendars in our iPhones and computers. It is important that all family members take part in planning and have access to viewing scheduled events. By creating a wall calendar, every family member can take part in committing to ‘planned family events.’ Last minute cancellations can be avoided if everyone agrees on the dates on this calendar.
2. IMPROVE YOUR FAMILY’S DIET: Step outside of your comfort zone. Try one new healthy recipe per week. This could be a new way to cook green beans or perhaps a wholesome main course that is easy to prepare. Try to take out/eat out one less time per week and plan 1 meal that the entire family cooks together.
3. CREATE QUALITY TIME: In this age of electronic communication, we forget to take the time to communicate the ‘old-fashioned’ way. It’s not the quantity of time the family spends together, but the quality. Pick a 4-hour period per week where EVERYONE turns off the TVs, computers, and cell phones. What might seem like punishment at first, can turn into a bonding experience! Play a family board game or cards, do a jigsaw puzzle, put on a skit – be creative, be silly.
4. ENJOY THE OUTDOORS TOGETHER: Start with choosing 2 days per month when everyone is available for a few hours. Plan a bike ride, a hike, even a wiffle ball game. Have each family member take turns picking the activity so everybody gets some input.
5. TRY A NEW PARENTING TECHNIQUE: Tired of making ultimatums? Come up with a new strategy. Whisper when you feel like yelling. Hug instead of reacting. Count to 10 before responding. See what happens. They might have to listen to hear you. Read a book on parenting to get some different perspectives.
6. ARE YOU PREPARED FOR A DISASTER?: Is your house is childproofed? Are your smoke detector batteries fresh? Do you have enough (any) fire extinguishers? Plan time to have a family safety briefing or even an emergency drill.
7. BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL: Nobody likes a hypocrite. Do you practice what you preach? Do you wear your bike helmet?...fasten your seatbelt?...drive the speed limit?...refrain from texting while driving? Nobody is perfect, but think about the importance of setting a good example.
8. HELP YOUR CHILDREN COME UP WITH THEIR OWN GOALS: Ask your kids about what they want for themselves—today, tomorrow, in ten years. What careers are they considering? A firefighter, an athlete, an engineer, a vet? Take interest in their interests. Schedule a meeting with a friend in that profession. Goals for the future give us reason to work hard, to learn, and to succeed.
9. GET GOOD SLEEP: Most parents are sleep deprived. Many kids are too. Tired parents are irritable and less able to deal with parenting. Tired kids are harder to manage and aren’t able to learn/behave well at school. Assess each family member’s sleep habits and work to improve them. Kids should put their cell phones on the kitchen table before they go to sleep. Parents need a bedtime too. Don’t be afraid to take a nap.
10. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS: Have each family member write down things for which they are thankful and keep them in a jar in the kitchen. It will help us to remember the blessings in our lives. Then, plan a day to help others who are not as fortunate. This will instill a sense of compassion and empathy. The world will be a better place and your children will learn from your example.
That is the list that I came up with. It’s a little “hokey” but these kinds of things are bound to be. Make your own list. Spend time thinking about yourself as a parent and what your kids need from you. Your kids will thank you when they are parents.
--Be Well
Drew Nash, M.D.
As we bid farewell to 2010 and welcome in 2011, here are some suggestions for a “Top 10” list of New Year’s Resolutions for parents and families. Undertaking huge changes in our parenting routines is unrealistic, so I’ve tried to make each idea easy to implement. Consider these for your 2011 goals (or come up with your own!)
1. CREATE A FAMILY CALENDAR: With technology nowadays, many of us have calendars in our iPhones and computers. It is important that all family members take part in planning and have access to viewing scheduled events. By creating a wall calendar, every family member can take part in committing to ‘planned family events.’ Last minute cancellations can be avoided if everyone agrees on the dates on this calendar.
2. IMPROVE YOUR FAMILY’S DIET: Step outside of your comfort zone. Try one new healthy recipe per week. This could be a new way to cook green beans or perhaps a wholesome main course that is easy to prepare. Try to take out/eat out one less time per week and plan 1 meal that the entire family cooks together.
3. CREATE QUALITY TIME: In this age of electronic communication, we forget to take the time to communicate the ‘old-fashioned’ way. It’s not the quantity of time the family spends together, but the quality. Pick a 4-hour period per week where EVERYONE turns off the TVs, computers, and cell phones. What might seem like punishment at first, can turn into a bonding experience! Play a family board game or cards, do a jigsaw puzzle, put on a skit – be creative, be silly.
4. ENJOY THE OUTDOORS TOGETHER: Start with choosing 2 days per month when everyone is available for a few hours. Plan a bike ride, a hike, even a wiffle ball game. Have each family member take turns picking the activity so everybody gets some input.
5. TRY A NEW PARENTING TECHNIQUE: Tired of making ultimatums? Come up with a new strategy. Whisper when you feel like yelling. Hug instead of reacting. Count to 10 before responding. See what happens. They might have to listen to hear you. Read a book on parenting to get some different perspectives.
6. ARE YOU PREPARED FOR A DISASTER?: Is your house is childproofed? Are your smoke detector batteries fresh? Do you have enough (any) fire extinguishers? Plan time to have a family safety briefing or even an emergency drill.
7. BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL: Nobody likes a hypocrite. Do you practice what you preach? Do you wear your bike helmet?...fasten your seatbelt?...drive the speed limit?...refrain from texting while driving? Nobody is perfect, but think about the importance of setting a good example.
8. HELP YOUR CHILDREN COME UP WITH THEIR OWN GOALS: Ask your kids about what they want for themselves—today, tomorrow, in ten years. What careers are they considering? A firefighter, an athlete, an engineer, a vet? Take interest in their interests. Schedule a meeting with a friend in that profession. Goals for the future give us reason to work hard, to learn, and to succeed.
9. GET GOOD SLEEP: Most parents are sleep deprived. Many kids are too. Tired parents are irritable and less able to deal with parenting. Tired kids are harder to manage and aren’t able to learn/behave well at school. Assess each family member’s sleep habits and work to improve them. Kids should put their cell phones on the kitchen table before they go to sleep. Parents need a bedtime too. Don’t be afraid to take a nap.
10. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS: Have each family member write down things for which they are thankful and keep them in a jar in the kitchen. It will help us to remember the blessings in our lives. Then, plan a day to help others who are not as fortunate. This will instill a sense of compassion and empathy. The world will be a better place and your children will learn from your example.
That is the list that I came up with. It’s a little “hokey” but these kinds of things are bound to be. Make your own list. Spend time thinking about yourself as a parent and what your kids need from you. Your kids will thank you when they are parents.
--Be Well
Drew Nash, M.D.
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