8 New Year’s Resolutions Every Family Can Accomplish

Anytime we think about New Year’s resolutions it’s always focused on the individual’s good practices, accomplishing a personal goal, or improving their behavior. A missed opportunity is not including your family in those goals. 

There’s an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Your family are the people you spend the most time with and benefit most from collective goals. The outcome of working together allows you to obtain better results, build trust, and reduce conflict. 

Before you can set your family resolutions, you must clearly define expectations, values and roles, which includes answering and agreeing on the following questions: What do you want to accomplish? How will this positively impact your lives? What values are most important? And what roles do each of you play to accomplish said goals? I believe children should be included in this planning so they can feel like their voices are heard and necessary. 

After you define expectations, it’s time to set small achievable goals. Something you may find helpful is outlining what can be achieved weekly, monthly, and in three-month increments. Fun fact: 85% of people and families who write down their plan accomplish their goals. 

Communication is key. Establish a time for family meetings to discuss questions or concerns. Track each accomplishment and celebrate successes together. The reward for each win can be determined together or by each family member. Keep it fun and focus on ways the family can be rewarded for their hard working efforts.

8 New Year’s Resolutions Every Family Can Accomplish

Improve Wellness

Wellness encompasses nourishing the body through exercise, nutrition, and sleep. Setting wellness goals for the family can improve everyone’s quality of life. Start by going for walks on the weekend or going to a trampoline park to burn some calories. Depending on your goals, consider going meatless once a week or swapping sides for healthier options.

Prioritize Spirituality

Different families define spirituality in different ways. One thing we can agree on is that spirituality can be a powerful and important source of strength. Explore ways you can increase your compassion and understanding for others. 

Reevaluate Home Space

Does your home feel welcoming? Are there unused areas that can be reimagined? Think about how your home serves your needs, or lack thereof, and ways you can make it a more useful space to address the needs of your family. 

Unplug Devices

Phones have become a crutch to fill silence and keep us constantly stimulated. Find ways to unplug from your phones to be more present and productive. Perhaps it’s reading together or cleaning. Whatever it is, make the most of the experience.

Increase Family Trips

Family outings can take a lot of money and planning, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Yes, traveling requires a fair bit of coordination — and so do trips to the grocery store. Plan day trips or weekend getaways to spend more quality time together. I love visiting apple orchards or taking the train into New York City to visit a new museum exhibit with my family. 

Designated Movie Nights

A favorite pastime for families is watching a movie together. Designate a day of the week or month to enjoy a film with your favorite snacks. Scheduled movie nights offer dedicated time to bond with each other and create memories. 

Collective Financial Goals

Whether you’re saving for a home or a trip to Disney, it’s critical to include your family in your plans, so they know the value of setting financial goals and sticking to a budget. This study highlights the importance of parents discussing financial matters with children to ensure that kids don’t develop misconceptions about money.

Eat Dinner Together 

Eating dinner as a family is not just for social purposes — it can have a profound impact on children’s development. Child Trends, the nation’s leading research organization focused exclusively on improving the lives of children, reported “Eating together can improve parent-child relationships, and give kids a sense of stability and connectedness. Children younger than 13 who regularly eat meals with their families exhibit fewer behavioral problems, and mealtime conversations have been tied to improved literacy.”