25 New Year’s Resolutions Every Parent Should Make

We’re one week into a new decade – and we’re still banging on about it being a time for self-reflection and fresh starts yada yada yada. So in case you’re having trouble thinking of a resolution or two, we’ve compiled 25 for every parent to ponder as we plunge headlong even further into 2010. Happy New Year! — Michelle Horton

25. Teach your kids money management skills

    It’s never too early to learn the meaning of a dollar, especially after the gimme-gimme holiday season simmers down. Anton Simunovic, founder of threejars.com, shares effective tips and ways to use an allowance to teach kids self-reliance and responsibility.

24. Read with your children for fun

    In our competitive culture, where we flash-card our children and stress about pre-school admissions, many parents consider reading with their kid to be an educational chore. But whatever happened to reading for enjoyment, life lessons or bright, silly pictures? This year, let’s focus on our child’s excitement, not their reading level.

23. Show appreciation for our parents

    We may be parents now, fussing over our children’s tiny feet, putting them on a school bus and sending them out into the world, but once upon a time, we were the kids being fussed over, being put on a school bus, being sent out into the world. For many, it takes having a child to finally appreciate what it means to have a parent. It’s time to show them the love.

22. Do more home cooking

    There’s something about the waft of simmering garlic and roasting chicken that congregates a family faster than Christmas morning, but we know that cooking can be intimidating. Whether you’re more comfortable with the old-school charm of cookbooks or the modern convenience of helpful iPhone apps, we’re into making cooking accessible for everyone.

21. Don’t beat yourself up over organics

    The incessant message that organic equals health isn’t likely to let up and unfortunately, neither is the hefty price tag for organic foods. And when the funds won’t allow, organic shmorganic. There are more important things to worry about.

20. Go on, let it out

    Yes, we’re big bad parents, strong and all knowing, but we’re not superheroes. We’re all just trying to get from point A to point B with minimal tears, tantrums and ouchies. With all of the balls we have in the air, always putting on a brave face is a waste of energy (we’re looking at you, too, Dads!). Let’s take a cue from our kids on this one and every once in a while allow ourselves a good cry!

19. Give your home a green makeover

    Not all of us have the energy, time or money to do a complete green overhaul, but that doesn’t mean we should throw in the plastic and preservative-ridden towel. We can create a better world for our kiddos – let’s just get educated – we’re starting with the mum in the mirror!

    Organise clutter…

18. We get it. One minute the place is in order, the next we’re tripping over toys and climbing over laundry baskets. Kids have an uncanny way of tearing through a house, leaving us on constant pick-up duty. Well, no more. Get organised, unclutter, get rid of the mess and get rid of unnecessary stress.

17. …but let the dishes pile up every now and then

    Being tidy is one thing, but expecting your house to look immaculate 24-7 is a pipe dream. Take it from those who know – there are better ways to spend our lack-of-time than scrubbing floors.

16. It’s the small things that matter

    Not every child has a parent with a PhD — or even a working memory of high school calculus — but it doesn’t make us lesser parents. It’s the simple lessons that will ultimately stick with our children. Set aside some time to teach them things you do know — then watch your tot (or teen) stare up (or down) in amazement.

15. Stop worrying about every. little. thing.

    Pick your mental battles. We have enough on our minds without stressing about whether the TV is causing irreversible damage or the babysitter is replacing Mummy. If you feel your heart racing or your breath catching, step back and assess how trivial the issue is.

14. Stop judging other parents

    We’re all on the same team, yet we still snicker, sneer and judge one another. Don’t we have enough to worry about without micromanaging the child rearing of others or caring what the other mums will think? Let’s start the new decade by supporting and encouraging our fellow monster-checking, nose-wiping parents.

13. Let kids be kids

    Susan Linn, author of The Case for Make Believe, told Babble that children have an instinctual yearning for creative play that’s fundamental to shaping who they are, yet today’s society tends to stifle that. Playing, pretending, imagining, believing — these are as instrumental in the Digital Age as they’ve always been. Spend some time unplugged, building forts and playing house. Let them enjoy childhood stripped to its core.

12. Practise a non-plastic lifestyle.

    Babble has published numerous reports about why certain plastics are dangerous and which ones to look out for — now it’s time to weed ‘em out of our pantries. But not all plastics are created equal, so become educated on what to look for and make some easy swap-outs, like using stainless steel water bottles, glass storage containers and parchment paper wrap.

11. Plan a holiday

    With finances tight for many families, holidays may seem like an extravagance. But for our kids’ psyches and family bonding, a little getaway is worth the money. We’re not talking a lavish two-week European extravaganza, instead, budget for a multi-state stay-cation, a road trip or a weekend getaway. And send us your sanity-saving tips if you come up with them – I’ve got a feeling we’re going to need them! since travelling with little ones isn’t always (ever?!) a 100% blissful experience…

10. Find “me” time

    Maybe this resolution is a little deceiving — technically, being a parent means there’s always an extension of "me." But that doesn’t mean our appearance has to be at the bottom of the priority pile. We know, we know — being thrown up on for the umpteenth time in one hour makes the words "sexy" and "elegant" as foreign as a nice, long shower. But, hey, at least we can make an effort.

9. Assign guardianship, if you haven’t already

   It might not be the most glamorous resolution, but this one should be on the top of every parent’s To Do list. Of course no one likes to think about handing over a child to be raised by another, and it’s a heavy decision that may even hurt some feelings. But coming to a decision and drawing up a will is too important to sweep under the rug until next year.

8. Exercise

   Because exercise is so crucial for our health — both physically and mentally — we vow to find work out time every day. And we’re totally counting baby arm raises and vacuuming here.

7. Eat healthily

   In pre-baby life, our resolution may have read lose weight, but now we’ve got a whole new reason to watch our diet: that little person in the high chair. Fact is, establishing healthy eating habits starts with us. Beyond that, getting our kids to eat better is an important goal for the year — one that doesn’t require slaving over a hot stove for hours, shelling out mega dough or skimping on taste.

6. Be a good role model.

   Those little ears listen to everything you say; those eyes follow every action and those mouths spew out some pretty horrifying things, all in the name of imitation. Now’s a good a time to curb potty mouth and act like the person you want your child to be. Nope, it’s not easy, but did anyone say it was going to bloody well be?

5. Limit the stress in our children’s lives

   Numbers show kids are absorbing stress from their parents, especially when it comes to the uncertain economy. But with enough on their plates, like Johnny The Bully, six hours of homework and not being invited to the Party Of The Year, kids don’t need to carry our burdens as well.

4. Release control

   This is a tough one. There’s something about sharing a body with our children and watching them develop from infancy until now that has made us — what’s the word? — crazy. Will we become the helicopter parents we’ve always despised? But newsflash! Kids are actually safer than they were in the 70s and 80s. Yep, safer. But for some reason, parents are more fearful. While it’s important to be cautious, maybe this year we can let go, breathe and parent on the loose.

3. Nurture your partnership

   We spend hours reading parenting how-to books, thumbing through parenting magazines and joining parenting communities, while our partnerships are often neglected. For those of us lucky enough to have a co-parent, let’s resolve to appreciate that person, whether it’s by going on date nights, communicating more or simply diving between the sheets. At the end of the day, your children will learn to walk away; your partner will still be holding your hand.

2. Accept who your children are

   While we absolutely have a part in shaping our children, part of the gig is getting to know who these little people are and fostering their individual personalities. Despite what we may dream for them to be and despite how we may want them to act, only staying tuned in to them will make our parenting job more effective.

1. Live for your family

   Above everything else, we’re lucky to have these messy, difficult, squishable children. Instead of complaining, let’s recognise that some families are challenged, grieving and desperate in ways that we can’t understand. Above all else, let’s resolve to enjoy one another and let that always be enough, no matter what time of the year.