Happy Family Goals: Do These Activities for 2022

Despite the uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, establishing family goals will give the parents and the children something to look forward to in the New Year. Setting these goals together will teach the children healthier habits and build stronger bonds with each other, and there's no better to do this than on the first day of the year.

Here are some family goals that you and your kids could start working on:

1. Pray often and practice gratitude together.

Never underestimate the power of prayer or the expression of gratitude to heal and strengthen family bonds. So, make it a goal to pray or profess gratitude with children or to never skip weekly worship services in the church.

Prayers at home can be done before meals, before bedtime, or a soon as the whole family is ready for a short morning prayer. On the other hand, expression of thanks can be a family routine after dinner time.

Families that share the same beliefs through prayers can better handle problems or stress that come their way. Expressing gratitude will also help the family realize how truly blessed they are.

2. Schedule a unique activity for family time.

Twice a month, do something different as a family. These activities don't need extravagant and extensive planning. The activity could be as simple as a picnic in the park, where the kids can forego screen time and watch the sunset with their parents.

How about going to a museum or a cultural event, or cooking a new recipe in the kitchen together? Dad and the kids could try out a weekend project and build something easy for the house while mom and the other children learn a new recipe in the kitchen?

Per The Pittsburgh Parent, family time will not only create a strong emotional bond. It can also build the children's confidence, improve communication, address behavioral issues, and create opportunities to make fun memories.

3. Visit relatives or friends.

How often do the kids see their extended family? This year might be the time to plan that visit, especially if they live just a few hours of drive away. Plan the quick trip and bring something special if it's safe to go. However, if your connection to the extended family might be an issue, how about visiting friends that are like family?

According to Grade Leap, forging relationships with extended family members is good for child development. Sometimes, a parent is not enough to fill a child's emotional needs, so they have to have stronger relationships with their grandparents, cousins, aunts, or uncles. Extended families, especially grandparents with loads of wisdom, make the best teachers for the children as well.

If visits are still not possible because of the pandemic restrictions, how about planning a Zoom date?

5. Engage in physical activities.

Fitness should be a priority for everyone, so make it a goal to do weekly exercises together. There are plenty of options to do this, such as a walk around the neighborhood, a fun run at the park, a family bike ride, or swimming activity.

A fun workout helps lower heart risks, makes it easy to manage weight gain, and improves the kids' performance in school. Building this habit will also help burn off energy and release happy hormones to improve mental health.