Make New Year’s resolutions WITH your family

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Whatever you choose, make it a meaningful one!

New Year’s resolutions are not just for moms and dads! With the end of the year and lots of holiday celebrations, it’s never too early to start thinking about resolutions as a family. Making them with your children can be fun and exciting. Pointing out that your children’s choices can contribute to a happier family is very important.

For example, have the whole family resolve to make their beds everyday. It’s a lot easier and more meaningful for the kids, if you and your spouse say you’ll do the same! Having multiple, smaller resolutions is best when dealing with your little ones, and it’s also best to keep the resolutions related to health, safety, and responsibility. For example, washing hands, wearing helmets when on a bicycle, eating fruits and vegetables, and drinking more water are all simple resolutions kids can make and stick with. Making this part of an annual family tradition is very important.

Sit down and talk about the past year — it’s a great bonding experience and provides ideas for resolutions everyone can make. In my house, we each share a few things we felt worked for us and a few that didn’t. Even my youngest, who is 6, participates. Things that need improvement — and pointing out that the child himself decided what needed improvement — are great starting points for developing each child’s individual resolutions.

The family can make group resolutions as well; for example, last year, my family and I vowed to go to Central Park and have a healthy game of catch every Saturday morning to get ourselves up, out, and active. My son also vowed to give our dog food, water, and walks, which was crucial in teaching him compassion and responsibility.

Children love feeling responsible and accomplished, especially when it is noticed by their mom and dad. That’s why it’s important to acknowledge your kids’ successes as you go. If your child’s eating habits are what concern you, then try and encourage a resolution centered on nutrition. If your child always leaves your playroom a complete disaster, have her make herself a cute poster saying “Clean up,” and hang it by the door of the room as a reminder.

On PBS.org, Laura Lewis Brown writes, “for preschool-aged children, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends resolutions that focus on cleaning up toys, brushing teeth and washing hands, and being kind to pets. However, parents who consider these behaviors part of their regular expectations may want to provide resolutions that focus on higher goals. A resolution could be ‘I will be a better listener when Mommy or Daddy asks me to do something’ or ‘I will help out more when Mommy or Daddy asks me.’ If you keep it simple, your child is more likely to understand the concept as well as succeed.”

Leading by example is so important, as well as being realistic and encouraging when it comes to the actions of your children. The resolutions have to be personalized; this is only a meaningful and worthwhile tradition and the vows make sense when it comes to the individual. A non-smoker wouldn’t resolve to quit smoking, so nobody should encourage a relatively healthy child to change his diet and exercise! An example of a specific resolution would be to put a pet’s name or a sibling’s name in with the resolution, for example: “I will try and help Tommy with his homework more,” or “I will give Buddy his morning walk.”

My almost-10 year old told me as I was writing this article that one of his resolutions for 2014 is going to be: “I will limit the time I spend watching television and playing video games to 45 minutes a day (except for the weekends).”

My almost-7 year old told me one of his resolutions is going to be: “I will keep my bedroom organized and my bed made. I will put my dirty clothes in the laundry basket and hang my towel up in the bathroom.”

As for me, I will lead my boys by example — one of my New Year’s resolutions for 2014 will be to add more exercise into my busy week. I want my boys to see a healthy mom inside and out.

Wishing you a FabULyss, happy, and healthy New Year!

Lyss Stern is the founder of DivaLysscious Moms (www.divamoms.com) and co-author of the best-selling book, “If You Give A Mom A Martini: 100 Ways To Find 10 Blissful Minutes For Yourself.”