It can be easy to look back on the previous year and only see what you should have done. A better way of looking at it, though, is to focus on what you can build upon in the new year. With the holidays in the rearview mirror and 2024 on the horizon, here are a few resolutions your family may want to incorporate in the new year.
Set Goals for the New Year
We’ve all heard that most New Year’s resolutions fall flat by February, but that’s because of a failure to put clear goalposts to work towards. Rather than making blanket resolutions for your family, such as “spend more time together,” focus on setting goals that demand action, such as “going on a family day trip at least once a month” or “starting a family game night.”
Write these new goals down and place them somewhere you’ll see them. This will help to keep your family more accountable in making sure these goals happen.
Prioritize Meal Plans
As much fun as it can be to dine out, it’s more expensive than ever. A great way to circumvent this is with meal planning. Gather your clan together and let everyone have some input in deciding what meals you’d like to eat that week. To keep things interesting, try making copycat recipes of your favorite restaurant dishes to see how they compare to the restaurant version.
Another great resolution around mealtime is to prioritize eating together as a family more often. Try to aim for at least one or two family meals a week and keep a rotation of who gets to pick what’s for dinner.
Get the Kids Involved
Getting kids to do their chores can feel like a chore in and of itself. If you have more on your plate than you want in 2023, make 2024 the year that all changes. While parents may never be able to convince children that chores are fun, there are some strategies to get the kiddos to help more often:
- Set a time limit for the chores
- Use an allowance or free activity as leverage
- Offer chore choices
- Be firm – let children know that refusing to help out is not an option
Get Organized
Out with the old and in with the new doesn’t just apply to the calendar year but should really apply to clutter as well. If you’d like your family to be better organized in the new year, first take stock of where those areas of improvement are needed and then take action.
For example, if you want to be better organized when it comes to family scheduling, consider buying a family day planner. If a cluttered garage needs a makeover or a weekly cleaning schedule is needed, then look into new storage solutions or cleaning task assignments for each family member.
Reestablish a School Routine
The new year marks the start of a new semester and the chance to trim any loose ends. A few points parents may want to focus on include:
- Help your child identify and adapt a plan for any schoolwork areas they’re struggling in
- Improve on or reestablish daily homework routines
- Try a new hobby or extracurricular activity
- Make a point to celebrate educational or extracurricular wins with your child
If you’d like to find a new home in 2024, reach out to the Crosswinds team to learn more about our available inventory of homes.
