Whether you’re planning on making resolutions for your home, your fitness, or your overall well-being for the upcoming year, there’s no better way to enter 2021 than by including your family in your resolutions! 2020 has been a struggle for everyone, in one way or another, and kicking off 2021 by making your family a priority will set everyone’s year up on the right track. Luckily, there are many ways to incorporate your personal resolutions with those that even your youngest kids can feel involved in and participate in throughout 2021!
Unplug
There’s no denying that we all spend too much time looking at a screen throughout the day, resulting in not giving enough attention to those we love. So, start your resolution list with promising, as a family, to unplug, all together, for at least an hour a day. This can be done at meals, before bedtime and throughout the weekends when we’re not working or at school. Have a basket that everyone can put their phones in and designate the time for reading, catching up, or playing outside together.
Eat together as a family
Let’s face it, life gets busy. Between work, school and extracurricular schedules, it gets difficult to sit down together as a family and enjoy a meal. So, start small and be realistic. Is breakfast too difficult and rushed? Then start with dinner a couple of times a week. The most important thing is making sure you set a maintainable goal and enjoy the conversation and company with your family when you’re all eating together!
Plan an adventure together
While we all might be staying home for a while longer, there’s no better time to plan your next family trip! Afterall, we all need something positive to look forward to in 2021. Make a resolution, as a family, to take a trip that gets everyone excited. While the kids might not be able to pay for the trip itself, you can get them involved by having them pick an activity while on the trip or letting them earn allowance money throughout the year for them to take along. Getting the whole family involved in planning everything will create lasting memories before you’ve even left!
And remember, just because you’re planning something for the future doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of your area and enjoy weekend adventures together as a family, too! Memories and traditions are made with the smallest moments!
Stay active, together
Nothing is more important regarding your family’s health than keeping a consistent exercise routine! The flexibility of staying active can truly fit any family’s lifestyle, which makes it such an attainable resolution! If you are worried about holding yourselves accountable, consider joining a gym. Otherwise, spending time together while going on walks, bike rides, snowshoeing (and other winter activities!) and just playing catch in the back yard will help you stay healthy while building stronger relationships!
Take pictures
Without it getting in the way of being present, take all of the pictures you can. So often we hear moms and dads talk about how they wish they weren’t always the ones behind the camera, or they wish they would have captured the intimate moments more. As a society, we are fortunate to have phones with cameras that have as much quality of that of a professional camera. Take advantage of it! At the end of the year, make a picture book for your family to look back on all of the memories made and the love shared. In the years to come, those pictures just might be your most prized possessions.
Set standards for everyone around the house.
Don’t just do the chores and mundane tasks around the house by yourself – it’s never too early to get the kids involved! Whether you’re vacuuming or shoveling after the snow, let them feel like they’re a part of it by giving them a shovel or broom that fits their size. Whether they’re 5 and wanting to feel like a “big kid” or 16 and you want them to learn responsibility, the more you get them involved in tasks around the house with you, the faster they’ll understand the responsibility and feel a sense of accomplishment. Remember, this can all be done together!
One of the most important things to consider when making any resolution with your family is this: you are setting an incredible example for your kids and leading by action! As a family, you’ll be set for a happier and more memorable year and that’s the best gift you could give them in 2021! From our family to yours, Happy New Year!
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