New Year's Resolutions - Family Time

We're still making New Year's resolutions!  Here are some New Year’s resolutions with a focus on family time.

1. Prepare and eat meals as a family – Start with sitting down as a family for one meal a week, and if this is something that already happens in your home, aim for a meal together every day. Studies have shown that kids who regularly eat with their parents are less likely to be overweight. They get better grades, have stronger self-esteem and enjoy better peer relationships during adolescence.

2. Volunteer as a family – It’s never too soon to teach children about the importance of giving. Find a volunteer opportunity that the entire family would enjoy—clean your neighborhood park or volunteer at your community food bank.

3. Learn something new as a family –The New Year is the time for new beginnings! Decide as a family to try something that you’ve always wanted to do – learn how to golf, ski, or take pottery classes! Visit http://www.healthyfamilyhome.org/ for monthly ideas.

4. Create healthy family traditions around the holidays; Start the year off with new and exciting healthy family traditions –Set aside time as a family during the holidays to enjoy one another: plan a winter wonderland family fun day, walk together after holiday meals, share your proudest accomplishment from the year and talk about the family goals for the New Year.

5. Play Every Day!! – Incorporate physical activity into your daily routines, spend more time outdoors, walk places instead of driving, play musical chairs at the start of a meal, or visit the Rye Y.