Can you stick to these parenting resolutions in 2022?
Promises are meant to be kept, even if they are to yourself. Here is our small list of parenting resolutions for 2022. They are practical enough to be actually kept.
#1 Re-plan your quality time with the children
How often are you multitasking with dinner, office calls, and talking to kids? Are you really there, mind, body and soul with your children, or are you trying to stop guilty feelings by slotting a ‘kid hour’ every day, when you are mentally somewhere else? So this year, plan activities with your kids that will get their full attention and help them bond with you. It could be an hour of making a blog with your little author, a home tea-party, movie time when you are all piled up cosily on the couch – the choice is your – just keep it age-appropriate.
#2 Ensure your screen hours don’t disrupt a healthy lifestyle
Kids would never admit it, but they do need regular bedtime and plenty of sleep, even if they are 17! Regular sleep and regular meals are key components to a healthy, calm lifestyle. Have you been interrupting that to look at the mobile, remain hunched over the laptop or attend to other work? Work pressure will not subside. We need to accept that, and move on with our lives as parents in a way where our children’s lifestyle don’t get interrupted by our work.
#3 Distribute chores among kids
Unlike what we think, kids of all ages thrive when they feel useful and needed, not when they are spoilt and freed from housework. Let them take out trash, fold clothes, do the dishes, and generally help around. They will be adults in a few years, and this is good grooming for them. Distribute chores among kids this year for a better home life for all.
#4 Set up a routine for kids (and yourself)
If you want kids to behave well, you have to play role model. Set up a routine, and follow it yourself. Kids will follow suit. Once they see you following the activities we mentioned above, i.e. setting time for them, doing timely chores, sleeping regular hours – they will also fall into rhythm – and that’s what you want.