Happy New Year

Friday, January 01, 2010
by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

Happy New Year!

Did your New Year's Eve celebration change? Mine certainly did with the addition of one little baby girl. It's now a quiet night, dinner at home, a few friends over and going to sleep before the big ball drops in Times Square. It's different, but I'll take it. Here's to the New Year ahead!

With that in mind, I thought I'd help you make a few resolutions to get your year started off right. These are the type of resolutions, or goals as I like to call them, that will be good for you and, even better, good for your little one.

Try them...better yet, print off this blog and hang it on your refrigerator to remind you of the good you will do for your family during the upcoming year.

Here we go...say them with me...

"During the New Year, I resolve to:"

*Read, sing and talk with my little one daily. Stop the noise (whether that be the TV, radio or just miscellaneous distractions found in an ordinary day) and focus, one-on-one, on your little one. Snuggle up and settle down. Enjoy.

*Be fit with your child. I know all the excuses because I use them too. Pledge to make time to move and groove with your munchkin. Maybe it's dancing in the living room (think of the triceps you can build while holding a baby and dancing!) or maybe it's a walk in the great outdoors (yes, I know it is cold outside, I live in Cleveland. Bundle up.).  Watch your family's food intake. Think more veggies, less cookies.

*Patience. Patience. Patience. Being a parent is hard work. Being an infant, or toddler or preschooler is hard work too. Be patient. Kind. Loving. Model the behaviors you want for your child. And, when that doesn't work, take a break or a breath and then try again. Remember, parenthood is not a race. There is no start and no finish. It is a journey in which somedays may be easier than others.

*Surround yourself and your child with good people. We don't pick our family, but we do pick our friends, some of them who we call upon like they are family. If you don't like the role models and support in your life, find new models and support. Find individuals who will support your child's healthy growth and development. Surround yourself with people who will give you the support you need as a parent. Find those who will stick with you when the bumps in the road are the biggest.

*Make time and take time with your child. It doesn't take an investment of money to raise a healthy and happy child (although, I won't lie to you, certainly money does make some things easier, but that's a blog of a different kind). It does take an investment of your time. Every day in all kinds of ways. From taking care of physical health and well-being, to providing social, emotional and cognitive experiences, it's up to you to do it for your child.

It's a New Year. Every day is a new opportunity to make a difference in your child's life.

Start today. I'm right there with you...let me know how it goes.

Oh, and Happy, happy New Year!

 

 

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