2023-12-26 18:45:00
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2023 (HealthDay News) — New Year’s resolutions often focus on weight loss and personal lifestyle changes, but setting good parenting goals pays off, too, they say the pediatricians.
“This is a good time to step back, take a breath and look at how we, as a family, are taking care of ourselves and others,” said pediatrician Dr. Steph Lee. “What are we already doing well? Let’s celebrate that first. Then, think regarding ways we can improve together and create a list of individual and shared family goals for the new year.”
“Maybe this is the year you decide to join a parenting group for support, or maybe it’s time to say ‘no’ to some things if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed in the last year,” Lee said in a news release from the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Your pediatrician can help you with your child’s health, but we also care regarding parents… Because when parents feel better, they create a healthy environment for children to thrive.”
Lee suggested the following eight goals that might help families thrive in 2024:
Get recommended vaccines. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, your children, and other loved ones from the flu, RSV, and COVID. Call your child’s pediatrician to make sure they have all recommended vaccines and remind them that good hand hygiene habits help prevent the spread of germs
Do digital good. What are your children watching on TV and online? Make a family media use plan and try to prevent video gaming from becoming an unhealthy habit. Remember that screen time doesn’t always have to be done alone. Watch a show or play a video game together and discuss what’s happening. Screen time can become bonding time when adults participate
Read together. For younger children, incorporate it into their bedtime routine. For older children and teens, share a favorite book and take turns reading aloud or listening to audiobooks together
Get out and explore. Spending time outdoors can be a great mood booster and help families get needed physical activity and vitamin D. It also gives your child’s eyes a healthy break from screens and helps them sleep. better at night
Check the limits of car seats. Children grow fast and can outgrow car seats faster than parents realize. Keep children rear-facing as long as possible, up to the limit allowed by the baby seat. This commonly includes children under 2 years old and most children up to 4 years old. Find out if there are any new car seat laws that may go into effect in your state in the new year.
Cooking as a family. Many families enjoy baking cookies or cakes together during the holidays. Continue the fun in the new year. Choose special times to cook together and involve the kids, from choosing recipes to shopping for ingredients at the store. If your child is a picky eater, this can get them to try new, healthy foods.
Prepare a family disaster kit. It’s scary to think how disasters like windstorms, wildfires, hurricanes or tornadoes might affect your family, but extreme weather events are becoming more common due to climate change. Being prepared is a way to be less afraid. Ask your children what they would want with them in a disaster and gather necessities such as non-perishable food, flashlights and bottled water
Take care of your mental health. When was the last time you had a checkup? Have you rested well? Depression and anxiety can occur to both moms and dads during and following pregnancy, even up to three years following having a child. In the US, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-833-943-5746. Locate the emergency line in your country or city and put it in an easily accessible place.
More information
The American Academy of Pediatrics has some ideas regarding resolutions children and teens can make.
SOURCE: American Academy of Pediatrics, press release, December 19, 2023
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