Welcome to a New Year! It’s time to forget the mistakes of yesteryear and get a fresh start. The New Year wouldn’t be complete without making some resolutions. If your kids are old enough, why not make some family resolutions. This is a great family bonding activity as well.

This is what you need to do –

(1) Disscuss : Have a discussion about what a “new year” means. Explain to your kids that January is the start of a new year. A new year means a chance to improve and become a better person. For younger kids, you might want to go over how the calendar works first.

(2) Brainstorm Resolutions: Get a paper and pen and brainstorm ways that you can “improve” and “make changes” in your everyday routine. You can divide this into categories if you like – home, school/work, everyday tasks, extra-curricular activities, etc.

(3) Take Turns: Take turns listing things under each category. Each family member has their own category. You can also have a family category if there is a resolution that you all want to work on together (ex: “eat healthier”, “spend more family time together”).

(4) Be creative, but practical. Don’t make resolutions you know will be impossible to keep. Be realistic with your expectations.

(5) Acheiving Goals: Have each family member discuss what steps they will take in order to fulfill their resolutions this year. Even the younger children can participate in this with a little help and a few suggestions.

(6) Rewards: Discuss a reward system for following your resolutions. Decide on a time frame for the rewards (weekly, the first of the month, etc.).

(7) Make a chart: Make a chart or a typed up list of your resolutions. Make sure everyone in your family has a copy. Even if your kids are too young to read, give them a copy so that they feel a part of the process and encouraged to keep their resolutions.

(8) Scrapbook: Make sure to save a copy of your resolutions in your scrapbook. This is something you can look back on in the years to come.

Here are some sample New Year’s resolutions (just to get your creative juices flowing):

Resolutions For Kids (modify them according to age):

• I will try to excel at school and make sure my homework is completed on time.
• I will use my listening ears and not interrupt when others are speaking.
• I will remember to say “please” and “thank you”.
• I will be nice to other kids at school and in all my extra-curricular activities.
• I will listen and respect my parents and teachers.
• I will try to be polite and not speak rudely.
• I will increase my vocabulary by learning the meaning of a new word every week.
• I will limit my television, video games and computer usage and spend more time reading.
• I will clean up my toys after I am done playing with them.
• I will brush my teeth twice a day.
• I will do all my chores and help out whenever I can around the house.
• I will share and learn to take turns.
• I will eat healthier food and avoid too much sugar and soda.
• I will practice good hygiene by washing my hands regularly.
• I will finish the food on my plate.
• I will remember to use proper table manners when eating.
• I will be nice to my brother/sister and avoid any unnecessary conflicts.
• I will use words, rather than my fists to solve problems. If I am unable to solve a conflict on my own, I will find an adult to help me.
• I will not whine or cry when I want something.
• I will not fold into peer-pressure – I will learn to walk away.

Resolutions for the Family

• We will spend more “quality” time as a family instead of sitting in front of the television.
• We will eat more family dinners together and discuss what each other did during the day.
• We will respect each other’s personal space and belongings.
• We will eat healthier as a family.
• We will play more board games together.
• We will seek out new places and adventures.

Resolutions for a Super Mommy:

• I will find more time to exercise.
• I will try out new recipes and healthy food options for family meals.
• I will do more craft projects at home.
• I will take more pictures and videos of the family.
• I will organize our picture scrapbooks.
• I will volunteer/participate in more of my children’s school activities.
• I will try to remember what it was like to be a kid and have fun once in awhile.

If you have any New Year’s resolutions of your own that you would like to share, please leave me a comment below and I will add it to the list.

-xoxo-
SuperMommy