January 2013-Parent Tip of the Month on Family Resolutions for the New Year!
I just couldn't help beginning the year with resolutions. :) What better way to start than trying to begin the new year with healthy family resolutions. When I say "healthy" I mean emotionally, physically and mentally.
Tip #1-Eat more meals together as a family. This is on the top of my list because not only will it help reconnect your family, it will help lower the risk of obesity as well. Check out this article from Web MD based on a research study: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20100208/less-tv-more-family-dinners-fight-childhood-obesity.
Tip #2-Try and eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Try and keep track together of how many servings of whole fruits and vegetables-this is a great goal to model healthy eating as parents because you are also accountable as well.
Tip #3-Declare "spending freeze" days each week or month. Perhaps it is one day a month or a few-try and challenge one another to not spend a penny. This will teach self-control and appreciating/using what you already have, or honoring abundance.
Tip #4-Try and have family game nights. This could be once a month or once a week depending on the schedules of each family member. Shut down devices and technology for one whole evening. See if it brings you together as a family.
Tip #5-Reserve 10 minutes of one-on-one "talk time" with each child/adolescent. This may seem like very little time, but many things get in the way of this routine. Try and keep this routine and see how it connects you on a deeper level with your kids.
These are just a few family resolutions to try and practice this year. If you have any other interesting ideas, I would love to hear from you! This is by far not an exhaustive list-just a few to try and aim for!
Thanks,
Jennifer Moyer-Taylor
Tip #1-Eat more meals together as a family. This is on the top of my list because not only will it help reconnect your family, it will help lower the risk of obesity as well. Check out this article from Web MD based on a research study: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20100208/less-tv-more-family-dinners-fight-childhood-obesity.
Tip #2-Try and eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Try and keep track together of how many servings of whole fruits and vegetables-this is a great goal to model healthy eating as parents because you are also accountable as well.
Tip #3-Declare "spending freeze" days each week or month. Perhaps it is one day a month or a few-try and challenge one another to not spend a penny. This will teach self-control and appreciating/using what you already have, or honoring abundance.
Tip #4-Try and have family game nights. This could be once a month or once a week depending on the schedules of each family member. Shut down devices and technology for one whole evening. See if it brings you together as a family.
Tip #5-Reserve 10 minutes of one-on-one "talk time" with each child/adolescent. This may seem like very little time, but many things get in the way of this routine. Try and keep this routine and see how it connects you on a deeper level with your kids.
These are just a few family resolutions to try and practice this year. If you have any other interesting ideas, I would love to hear from you! This is by far not an exhaustive list-just a few to try and aim for!
Thanks,
Jennifer Moyer-Taylor