Dream big. Be awesome. Live life colorfully. Dance in the rain. Choose happy.
What’s on your list of New Year’s resolutions for 2024? A fresh year brings opportunities for new hope, new joys, and new beginnings. For those of us with foster children and teens looking to us for love and care, it’s a perfect time to map out some meaningful goals. Here are a few to get you started!
- Expect a little more.
Expect more from your children in the New Year, such as manners, good behavior, responsibility, and kindness. Set the bar higher. You may be pleasantly surprised when you expand our expectations. - Expect a little less.
Children need lots of slow to grow, so make a conscious effort to simplify their daily schedule. Provide your children with more time to learn to relax. - Worry less.
Keeping kids safe should be a priority, but don’t let your large and small worries drive your life. Take care of yourself and the things you can control. Provide ways for children to safely explore the world around them. - Read together a little more.
Reading is a good way to spend time together. Reading with your child, and in front of your child, will also help them grow as readers. Grab books, magazines, and newspapers and have them available for children. - Write a little more.
Get in the habit of writing “love bombs” of encouragement, recognition, and appreciation. Jot a note on a napkin and tuck it in your child’s lunch bag. Fire off a text message to let someone know you’re thinking about them and praying for them. Words of encouragement are powerful! - Talk less and listen more.
Make a point of listening to what your child is saying. (Hear their heart, not necessarily their words), and ask What do you think? What would you do? What are you feeling? Be intentional about having a two-way conversation. - Shrink your screen time.
Show your kids you can survive without constantly being on your phone, tablet, or computer. Establish technology-free zones and times in your home. Model the art of living in the moment, in real time, with real people. Recognize that children and teens are watching how you manage your digital life. - Play with your kids more.
There will be times when getting on the floor and acting silly isn’t the way you want to spend your afternoon, but remember that it is the way your children want to interact with you. Tickle time, laughter, and fun deserve your time! - Introduce a monthly surprise.
Plan at least one fun surprise for the family every month to build family unity, togetherness and shared memories. Brainstorm ideas with the family. What would they enjoy doing? Where would they like to go? Think outside the box. Consider home together nights with no interruptions allowed. Play family games. Go ice skating or roller skating. Play tag in the backyard. Go on a hike. Plan a scavenger hunt. The sky’s the limit. - Cultivate a grateful spirit.
Never lose sight of how fortunate you are to have your kids — even when they’re spilling juice on the carpet or screaming at the top of their lungs. A thankful attitude will make you both a better mom or dad and better equipped to deal with the challenges you’ll face every day. - Invest more in self care.
As a busy parent, you might not have a whole lot of time for yourself and to nurture your own needs. Make a priority to invest in yourself; schedule time for this into your day and make sure that you never skip out on taking good care of your mind, body, and soul. You’ll feel better, look better, and be able to better care for your loved ones when you make your health and wellness a priority. - Commit to being a first-class role model.
Remember your kids are always watching you. So much more is caught than taught. Set an example for your kids by choosing healthy foods, exercising frequently, speaking kindly, and getting enough sleep each night. Show them how to care for a family and house by being an involved and responsible parent. Be intentional about building strong relationships with others. Show love and affection daily and remember to focus on the positives and what’s going well.
Prayer for the New Year
Lord, whether I leave behind a year of joy or of trials and difficulties
I pause to give thanks. Thank you for being with me every day of every year.
Thank you for making all things new and for giving me the grace of fresh starts.
And new beginnings.
Remind me of your presence in the days to come,
even when I feel pushed and rushed by busyness.
Be glorified in my life this year.
AMEN
