Schoolage (5 - 12)
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New Year's resolutions for the family's soul
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Document your family history
Gather all those scattered photographs into an album. Draw a family tree. Take a genealogy course, even if it means just searching the Internet. Teens need a sense of belonging, and this is a way to create the extended family that so many of us have lost in our daily lives. Look after yourself
Discover a ritual that makes you feel good - a hot bath every night, fancy flavoured tea, a manicure, or an evening out with your best friend. As the stress of daily life intensifies, we have to be good to ourselves and pass on this coping mechanism and concept of self-love to our children. Swap a hug for a yell
Next time you are ready to let rip at your child - even if you have a good reason - hug her instead. Take a few deep breaths. Then offer a calm reprimand. You'll be teaching anger management as well as giving love when she needs it most. Perfom one kind gesture a day
Be courteous when you're driving. Say hello and smile at a stranger. Pick up some litter. Tell your child about your good deed. Vie to see who can do more random acts of kindness. Show your family that 'It's cool to be kind'. Get in touch with the natural world
It is the best antidote for our fast, materialistic world. Look up at the sky: watch the sunrise or the sunset. Walk outside in the snow, wind or rain. Buy a plant, and watch it grow. Visit the parks and outdoor spaces in your area.
Gather all those scattered photographs into an album. Draw a family tree. Take a genealogy course, even if it means just searching the Internet. Teens need a sense of belonging, and this is a way to create the extended family that so many of us have lost in our daily lives.
Discover a ritual that makes you feel good - a hot bath every night, fancy flavoured tea, a manicure, or an evening out with your best friend. As the stress of daily life intensifies, we have to be good to ourselves and pass on this coping mechanism and concept of self-love to our children.
Next time you are ready to let rip at your child - even if you have a good reason - hug her instead. Take a few deep breaths. Then offer a calm reprimand. You'll be teaching anger management as well as giving love when she needs it most.
Be courteous when you're driving. Say hello and smile at a stranger. Pick up some litter. Tell your child about your good deed. Vie to see who can do more random acts of kindness. Show your family that 'It's cool to be kind'.
It is the best antidote for our fast, materialistic world. Look up at the sky: watch the sunrise or the sunset. Walk outside in the snow, wind or rain. Buy a plant, and watch it grow. Visit the parks and outdoor spaces in your area.
You don't have to make all of these New Year's resolutions, but even one will make you feel good.
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