Most people consider the start of the year as a chance to do a reboot and some parents could already be mapping out plans to make 2017 a stellar year. Tossing out old habits and traditions, moving on from mistakes and learning new things can make a big difference and this should be the theme behind New Year's resolutions in parenting. Below are some suggestions for parents.
Ditch the old habit of nagging children about screen time. Instead, emphasize on self-moderation, especially with older kids and teenagers. Parents only contradict themselves when they willingly buy children gadgets but restrict its use. If parents focus more on self-regulation, then they could also help children learn about prioritizing things, according to Frugal Fanatic.
Achieve to cook or prepare interesting, tasteful and healthy dishes. Be inspired by Sarah Gonzalez, the mom behind Lunarbell Lunch, who has transformed her kids' school lunches into artworks. It might help parents to know that she didn't have any training in food art, according to Buzz Feed. "I started researching different ways to encourage her to eat better and that is where I discovered the world of creative food," she said.
A photo posted by Sarah Gonzalez (@lunarbell_lunch) on Dec 3, 2015 at 11:14pm PST
Let the children engage more often with other family members. When was the last time they were at grandma's? How much have the kids spent time with an aunt or uncle? If extended family members live nearby, it's easier to arrange for visits. Have the funny uncle watch the kids so the parents can have that long-overdue date night.
If the extended family members are all over the country or the world, establish a connection on social media via chat groups. It's important for children to maintain a good relationship with family because they will carry over this perception and orientation as adults, which will help keep good relationships themselves.
Establish fun activities with family every other weekend. It doesn't even have to be expensive and won't require much preparation. Take cues from what your child is interested in doing. "Anything that builds on your child's interests, and enables you spend more time with them, is a great thing," Jo Wheatley from Netmum said, according to HuffPost UK.
