Instead of making unrealistic New Year’s resolutions that you’ll break before you know it, recommit as a family to spend more time together, argue less and stay healthy and active.

Sit down to dinner
Recommit to have dinner together as a family at least four nights a week to reconnect with each other. Studies show that children who grow up having dinner with their family every night lead healthier, happier and longer lives.

Get organised
Coming home from a long day at work and then figuring out what to make for dinner can be overwhelming. Don’t fall into the fast food trap. Instead, plan your menu ahead of time. Stock up with whole foods and staples, and then create a weekly menu based on those ingredients. It’s a good idea to cook ahead of time and freeze meals for during the week. Another option is to split the cooking duty with your spouse or older children to take the cooking pressure off one individual in the family.

Unplug once a week
Find a balance between participating in activities that you and your family enjoy as individuals and family time. Turn off computers, television, smartphones, etc. for one day or evening a week to get back to basics:

    • Create a family arts and crafts project
    • Cook a meal together as a family
    • Set aside a couple of hours for reading
    • Visit family or friends
    • Plant a vegetable garden
    • Play board games or cards
    • Spend time talking, relaxing and laughing.

Plan family fitness days
Take a walk or run together every evening and use the weekends to try out new fun ways to exercise such as hiking, biking or swimming.

Laugh more, argue less
Probably the most important thing you can do for your family is to enjoy life and avoid arguments. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Create a laid-back atmosphere in your household with lots of laughter and love. Control your temper and be kind to others and your children will follow suit. Reducing confrontations and stress leads to a healthy and happy environment for everyone.

 

Sources
Canfield, Jack & Hansen, Mark Victor. 1993. Chicken Soup for the Soul. Health Communications Inc.
Hansen, Mark Victor & Allen, Robert G. 2009.The One Minute Millionaire. Three Rivers Press
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