2017 will be here before you know it, and the tradition every New Year’s Eve is to pick a few resolutions to start the year off right! Well, this year why not pick a few resolutions you can do as a family?
Here are a few family-friendly New Year’s resolutions for 2017:
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Volunteer:
Each month, you and your family could volunteer some time. Choose different organizations at various times of the year. This way, all of you can get familiar with the many different types of organizations in your community. Or pick just one organization that means a lot to you and your family and volunteer there throughout the year. For example, if you and your children love animals, you may decide the local animal shelter is where you want to spend your time.
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Read:
Read together every day. This could mean reading something from the newspaper, a magazine, an online article, or a book. You and your family can get into the habit of going to the library once a week to choose something you all want to read together. Your local librarian will have recommendations if you need help deciding. Whatever you choose to read, make sure you discuss it afterward. Everyone should have an opportunity to contribute to the conversation.
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Turn Off Electronics:
Challenge yourselves to go without electronics for an hour every day. Just think of the many other things you and your family can do together! It might be tough at first, especially if using an iPad or cell phone is a regular occurrence in your household. Instead of instinctively turning on the TV when everyone gets home from school or work, try meditating for 10-15 minutes, and follow it up afterwards with some meaningful conversation. Encourage each person to tell something interesting about the day.
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Set a Date:
Do something fun together as a family at least once a month. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be as simple as playing a board game, taking a walk in the park, or playing a game of kickball. The point is enjoying significant family time. Spending quality time together is what matters.
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Go Green:
There are so many ways to make a greener world—it’s hard to narrow it down to just one! Here are some examples: recycling more, picking up litter around the neighborhood, and making a commitment to do more walking or biking to get where you need to go. Whatever your family chooses to do, you’ll be changing your 2017 carbon footprint for the better!
