Creating Family New Year Resolutions

Hopefully everyone had a wonderful and safe New Years! This year I rang in 2010 with my whole family, a true blessing since we live in different states. My parents and brother were able to come for Christmas and I went to their house to spend the week after Christmas. It was wonderful to visit family and friends and truly celebrate the season with those I love. It was with bitter sweet sadness that I returned home, but the memories will last far beyond the holiday.

While home, I was quickly reminded of the importance of family togetherness to the well being of our soul. This time of the year resolutions are made to diet, save money, or stop bad habits which are all well intentioned resolutions. I decided to make some resolutions that pertain to my family. Strong families have direction, goals, and aspirations that they share together. For 2010 why not gather the family together and make some resolutions that you wish to accomplish as a family unit? The resolutions don’t have to be on a grand scale, they should be simple and attainable.

Ideas for family resolutions for the New Year

Spend More Time Together

Quality family time is underrated. Children crave attention and time from their parents, and we crave the same from them. Unfortunately, life often gets in the way and family time gets neglected. Make a resolution to spend more time together. The first step is to be realistic, we are all busy and even our kids are busy so it is important to look at everyone’s schedule and choose at least one day a week for family night. If you find that you can’t fit at least one or two days of family time in, it is time to shift your priorities around. Time is the best gift you can give one another as a family.

Share a New Hobby Together

You are never too young or too old to learn. Sharing a new hobby together is a great way to spend time with one another while having fun and trying something new. Collaborate on a list of hobbies that everyone would like to try and then choose a month for each hobby. You might want to try something new each month or every other month. Get creative with your list! Some examples are studying a new language together, quilting, rollerblading, or gardening. If one hobby holds more interest to you than to your husband split up the hobbies. For example, you and your son may want to learn rollerblading and your husband and your daughter may take on gardening, then make the next month a hobby the whole family wants to participate in.

Spiritual Goals

The family that prays together stays together. One of our goals as Christian parents should be strengthening our family spiritually. Making spiritual goals not only strengthens your family bond, but also strengthens their walk as Christians. Make it a resolution to have family bible study once a week, keep a blessings journal, or volunteer more at church. Try creating a family prayer time, when the entire family prays and worships God together. In today’s world it is so important that we instill in our children biblical principles and values. This is a resolution that can’t afford to be broken if we want to stay faithful followers of Christ.

Home Improvements

Some of the most precious moments are those created in the comfort of your own home. Kids love to decorate and be part of creating the place called home. Schedule a family meeting and discuss improvements that everyone would like to implement in the house. It doesn’t have to be a $50,000 kitchen renovation, it can be as simple as redesigning the family room. Pick a room and give it a new design that suits the needs of each family member. Try moving the furniture around, painting the walls, adding art, anything that is simple, cheap, and requires the involvement of whole family will work.

Fitness Goals

Fitness goals are probably one of the most common New Year resolutions of all times. Unfortunately, within about four weeks they are usually forgotten. However, everyone desires a healthy family and one of the best ways to attain a fitness goal is to partner up with someone. This year make a pact with your family to eat healthy, exercise, and stay fit. Teach your children to worship their temple by giving it the fuel it needs. Make a resolution to walk at least twice a week after dinner, take a bike ride, join a dance class, pick healthy recipes, or sign up for a marathon! There are so many fun ways to stay healthy and do it as a family!

Be Green Together

Our environment has taken a beaten and it is up to us to take care of it. This year make an effort to conserve more, use recyclable bags, and make a conscious effort to keep our world healthy. Work together as a family to learn more about how to keep our earth clean and what you can to contribute. Organize a neighborhood cleanup, don’t drive as much, and find ways to be green. This is a great lesson for your children that can make a positive impact in the future.

The New Year is a time to look forward and get excited about the year ahead. It is great to have individual resolutions, but making resolutions as a family is a wonderful way to create stronger bonds and work as a team toward a common goal. Family time is quality time whether you’re painting a wall or sitting around the dinner table. The point is to cherish one another and to learn and grow together while involving God every step of the way. Make 2010 the year that your family keeps their resolutions!

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved