I love the idea of hitting the reset button as a new year rings in. I love taking a moment to look around at my family and friends and career and desk and packed-full storage space and think about what I could be doing better and what is just fine as it is, at least for another year. And I do love lists, big ideas, seemingly silly dreams and plans.
But what I don’t love are the resolutions that keep me tied to an overwhelming new schedule, a weight scale or obligations that don’t feel right. A challenge is great, a chore is not. So this year, we are holding fast to the spirit of resolutions — reaching toward our better selves — and letting go of the pressure.
Oh, yes, I said we. I am hooking my little family into this with a jar full of moments to share throughout 2013 to help us spend time together, laugh more, hug harder, keep tidier, run around often and maybe even tackle that storage space.
Here are 50 of our family resolutions.
- Do a taco taste test around the city
- Spend two screen-free hours (no TV, no computer, no tablet, no phone checking) hanging out together
- Use the library card 5 more times
- Learn a new friendship bracelet pattern
- Clear out all of the teeny-tiny undies, socks with holes and shirts with funky stains
- Make cookies to take to someone who needs a smile
- Donate two bags of old toys
- Host a pizza playdate night for friends
- Go sledding
- Try ice-skating again
- Try a new sandwich for lunches
- Visit the great-grandma in Indiana
- Spend a long weekend doing nothing at the lake house
- Plan a camping trip
- Have a Battleship game marathon
- Do a Zumba class DVD together
- Go to a baseball game
- Find a place to hike near us
- Send a note to teachers thanking them for something awesome they taught you
- Draw something detailed together on a huge sheet of paper
- Try a new food
- Introduce the kid to a movie classic — It’s a Wonderful Life, Young Frankenstein, Princess Bride
- Master a new recipe we all like
- Put up shelves and bins in the kid’s room
- Write thank you notes for holiday gifts
- Organize a giant game of tag at the park
- Spend an hour reading quietly on the couch
- Have ice cream for dinner
- Write a letter to someone in the family listing ten reasons you think they are great
- Have a dance party in the car at least twice a week
- Add a new veggie dish to the dinner rotation
- Make chocolate chip pancakes together
- Run a mile together
- Throw away all the dried up markers and broken crayons
- Make a funny picture with googly eyes
- Delete the apps and games on the phone we no longer use
- Take the giant jar of change to the bank and use the money to do something silly
- Have a skee-ball tournament
- Sing Christmas carols on a really hot day
- Go to the pool for the day
- Have a themed movie marathon weekend
- Plant something and take care of it
- Concoct a special kid-friendly drink
- Bake a cake from scratch
- Wear costumes to run around the neighborhood park
- Learn and speak Pig Latin
- Go on a kayaking tour of the river
- Watch fireworks
- Do something touristy in our own city
- Get dressed up to go out to for a special dinner for no reason at all
What are your family resolutions for the year?
