The last time I remember, I just gave birth for the first time. Now, it’s 2020 and my son’s quickly turning into a little man.
Once I heard “enjoy it, kids grow up so fast” but it wasn’t only until now that I truly realize its meaning. Gone are the days when I used to carry a lot of things — breastfeeding cover, diapers, extra shirt, socks, wet wipes, and the list goes on. Now that my son is turning 5, I could barely carry him anymore.
So this year, I promised myself that I would spend as much time as I could before he turns into a young adult. If you’re with me (I know you’re with me), here are the top family resolutions we would do this year.
Practice Greetings And Kind Gestures
It’s cute to see your little one wave goodbye but it feels better to actually receive a hug and a kiss from them when you’re about to leave for work. Adding a sincere “I love you” also makes it extra special.
The same thing when your kid is about to go to school. Instead of the usual “Goodbye” and “See you later,” cuddle them and make them feel loved.
Of course, this is not only applicable when someone’s about to leave. It’s also a good idea to practice greetings and kind gestures in the morning and before going to bed.
Get Fit Together
This doesn’t necessarily mean enrolling your kid to a gym. Considering your kid’s age and capabilities, you can do simple activities, such as walking after school together, having a simple hike, or even dancing to your favorite tunes.
Having a routine or exercising on a regular basis is one of the toughest new year resolutions so to make sure that you’re going to do this in the long run, you can set a goal for your entire family.
Have A Weekly Ritual
Once a week, have a family ritual you can do consistently, such as having a themed-dinner, playing classic games like Uno, or watching a movie. It doesn’t have to be complicated; the important thing is that all of you are having fun.
In case you’re wondering what family activities you can try at home, here are some inspirations:
- After-School Activities: Skill-Boosting Extracurricular For Kids Ages 2-12 Years Old
- 8 Fool-Proof Indoor Activities For Toddlers — Even Your Husband Will Love!
- Family Cheap Thrills – 11 Fun Summer Activities You Can Do On A Budget
- 5 Fun Family Night Activities With Kids Before You Go To Sleep + Our Top Picks
- 9 Activities That Would Make Your Child Physically And Mentally Active This Summer
Support A Cause As A Family
Find a cause that you and your family would love to support and make a list of the things on how you can help them. For example, you can donate clothes, allot a certain donation every month, or join a charity walk.
Disconnect To Connect
Admit it, it’s not only you who’s electronic addiction is getting worse. Even your 2-year-old relies on YouTube, most of the time (if not, then good for you). So this year, make sure to reduce phone time and instead, connect with each other. Talk about your day, your interest, and go out as a family.
A simple “No Phone During Meal Time” rule makes a huge difference.
Remember, your kids are growing up. Connect as much as you can… while you can.
Take A Weekday Off -- Once In Awhile!
During the weekend, there are a lot of things to do — laundry, attend birthdays or other special events, play dates, etc, that there’s almost no quality time together. So how about, you and your kids break a rule, even just for once.
For example, skip work or excuse your kid from school and just visit a museum or better, Disneyland! We know how bad that feels but sometimes, these are the kind of memories that you and your kid will treasure.
Save The Environment
We know how badly Mother Nature needs our help that even the simplest thing counts. Instead of using plastic straws, why not invest in reusable ones. Teach your kids to turn off the water while brushing their teeth or put the lights out before they leave the room.
Here are other ways to save the environment:
- Consider carpool or public transportation rather than driving your car to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
- Use reusable containers and bags.
- Choose paperless transactions.
Have An Emergency Plan
Fire, earthquake, typhoon, and other calamities happen when you least expect it… of course, so be sure to devise an emergency plan with your family and pets. Depending on where you live, find a safe spot where you can meet in case such things happen. Locate the exits in your place and be sure to know where the first aid kit is located.
These are just some of the New Year Resolutions I have in mind and if you want to add more, please feel free to share it in the comment box below. And oh, don’t forget to join our community for free!
Have a great year!