As parents, what should our goals be for New Year 2013?
Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge and every week he provides a theme…this week’s theme is NEW YEAR 2013.
Here are 12 critical parenting goals for the New Year.
1. Make sure your children get to go outside to play…fresh air and physical activity are so very important to a child’s good health.
2. Encourage family time and activities for your child…participating with your child in a simple craft project takes just a few minutes…,but it builds self-esteem, develops stronger literacy skills and creates a life-long parent-child bond.
Here’s a wonderful book that gives 100’s of quick and easy activities for young kids: Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking
3. Help your child gain social skills by encouraging interaction with other kids.
4. Promote good eating habits…invite your child to help in the kitchen, provide nutritious foods and set definite times for meals.
5. Help your child develop a sense of responsibility by assigning chores and expecting your child to carry out age-appropriate tasks.
6. Encourage your child to interact with the world and its inhabitants…visit zoos, museums, concerts and other places of interest.
7. Help your child develop independence…but always keep your child safe.
8. Encourage your child’s love and appreciation of nature and help him develop an awareness of the need to preserve and protect the environment.
9. Find time every day to read with your child…studies show that children who are read to on a daily basis are more successful in school…and in life.
Here’s a great resource for the perfect picture book: Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Page
10. Establish traditions that are right for your family…for example, hunting for just the right pumpkin for Halloween…the memory of these traditions will make a positive impact on your child throughout his life.
11. Help your child to feel good about his body and to learn good hygiene…for example, washing hands often and proper dental care.
12. Show and tell your child every day that you love him and care about him.
What goals do you have for New Year 2013…for yourself…for your children?
Want more information about Jake’s Sunday Post?
http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/
- A New Year is upon us… | Chronicles of Illusions →
December 30th, 2012 → 6:32 AM - New Year’s Traditions In Ecuador « Zeebra Designs & Destinations →
December 30th, 2012 → 5:49 PM - Sunday Post: 2013 « patriciaddrury →
December 31st, 2012 → 12:14 AM - Sunday Post: New Year 2013 « Milka Pejovic →
December 31st, 2012 → 1:02 AM - SUNDAY POST: NEW YEAR 2013 « Francine In Retirement →
December 31st, 2012 → 2:14 AM - http://carolloethen.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/sunday-post-new-year-2013/
- http://piecesofstarlight.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/sunday-post-fun-facts-about-new-years/
- http://wp.me/p23TG1-1VJ
- http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/our-awards/blog-of-the-year-2012-award/
- http://jobryantnz.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/a-new-year-is-upon-us/
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VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
great post! thanks so much for the pingback, which led me here! i like your blog!
z
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I’m so glad you stopped over! I love Jake’s Sunday Post because there are people all over the world who participate…what an adventure to read everyone’s posts.:)
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what a terrific subject you chose for this one Vivian…all very important things that you talk about. Have a safe and happy New Year.
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Thank you so much, Jo! I will be flying to Chicago to see my son and daughter-in-law on Thursday…and from there will fly to New Hampshire to visit with my daughter and her family for a couple of days…kind of a retirement present to myself…yesterday was my LAST day of ‘work’…now I will have time to work on my writing and other passions.:) Happy and Healthy New Year to you as well…what an amazing gift the blogsphere is…friends and acquaintances all over the world, wishing each other Joy and Love for the New Year!
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You have a wonderful time away…
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Thank you so much, Jo! 🙂
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Great list of goals for every parent! We have to work on the chores more at our house now that the kids are old enough to help out. Thanks for the reminder.
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You are so welcome, Milka! When my kids were growing up, I don’t think I ‘encouraged’ them to do chores or assume responsibilities as much as I should have…I’m happy the boys turned out to be amazing helpmates to their wives…sharing the housework load with a smile. I think the key is to decide what you want and expect from them. 🙂 Happy and Blessed New Year to you and your family!
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I think I’ll make a list of the available chores and ask them what they want to do. I want them to be motivated to do them, so I don’t hear them whine. They’ll have to pick a few and if they don’t, I’ll pick for them. They already help out here and there but I usually have to ask. It would be great if it was on a daily basis, so they get used to it.
I wish you and your family a very happy 2013!
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Sounds like a great idea, Milka! Perhaps some type of posted chore chart (and you can list yours as well so they realize just how much you are doing) with items checked off when completed. Or a jar with folded papers and they pick and do the required task. I’m flying to Chicago on Thursday to spend a couple of days with my son and his wife…and from there to NH to visit with my daughter and her family. I may not have too much computer availability till the 12th. 🙂
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Sounds like you have a great trip planned! We have a chore/to-do chart on the wall here but we don’t use it so 2013 may be the year we revise it all together and make it work. Thanks for the idea!
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🙂
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Vivian – this is wonderful – sharing and pinning it! Happy New Year!
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I love you, Susan! I’ll have to take a course in how to Pin…I signed up for Pinterist, but have NO idea how to do anything there.:)
Happy and Healthy and Joyous New Year to you and your family!
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Happy New Year Vivian. May 2013 be one of growth and joy!
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Thank you so much, Carol! I wish the same to you as well! 🙂
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HAPPY 2013!! 😀
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And Happy 2013 to you and your family, Erik!
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Happy New Year to you, Vivian! 🙂
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And a very Happy and Healthy New Year to you, Sunshine!
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Pingback: NEW YEAR 2013: Equanimity | Simply Charming
Beautiful post once again Vivian Happy New Year to you my friend ,Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Happy New Year to you as well, Jake! The internet is enabling us all to connect with quality people…like you.:)
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Kindergarten is an exciting adventure. It is a time when your child should have the opportunity to develop a lifelong love of learning and to recognize herself as a unique and valuable person. Enjoy the year! Work in partnership with the school, and remember, you are still your child’s most influential teacher.
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Thank you so much…that a thoughtful and true comment!
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