Family Resolutions for the New Year

Are you busy thinking of personal resolutions to make before the clock strikes midnight? We like the idea of setting goals as a family and working on them together throughout the year. Here are some ideas to bring your family closer together in the New Year!

Home-cooked family dinners. Schedules can make it tough, but commit to dinner as a family at least a few times a week. A home-cooked meal is cheaper than going out and allows you to make healthier food for everyone. Win-win!

Plan activity days. It can be a bike ride to a coffee shop, a scenic hike or just a walk through the neighborhood, so long as you get moving. Get everyone up and out for a game of soccer or touch football this weekend and share some time together.

Group Chores. That blanket of leaves will be more fun to tackle with a group, don't ya think? Give the kids rakes and see who can make the biggest pile -- and maybe jump in them when you're done! You can even assign one chore to everyone, do them at the same time and then go out for a bike ride after. Frecklebox Chore Charts can help keep the family on their toes, too!

Be a green family. Have your family pledge to recycle and use reusable grocery bags as much as possible. Check with your city or county to make sure you're recycling everything you can.

Read together. If your kids are too old for a story before bedtime, take turns reading from an all ages chapter book like Harry Potter and let everyone get involved.

No matter how you choose to start out 2015, we wish you a bright and happy New Year!