What are your goals for the New Year?

This year, why not set goals that can improve your family life? When you put your effort into meaningful goals that will benefit your loved ones, you can have a tremendous impact on family relationships, organization and teamwork in the year ahead.

Here are some goals that can make a real difference for your family:

I will prioritize family time. Sitting around a table and eating together has many benefits. Taking time to connect and share a meal helps create a strong family unit. Add in a weekly (or even monthly) game or movie night, and suddenly your family and the time you spend together becomes a tradition and a priority for everybody.

I will give my child the gift of literacy. Experts agree, the most important thing you can do to help your child is read to him or her every day. Treasure these moments of togetherness and share in their excitement over a favorite book. Not only will you create memories, you will help your child develop the foundation for a love of reading.

I will help my family eat healthier. The best way to encourage healthy eating in your family is to be a great role model. Include fruits and vegetables in every meal. Have healthy snacks on hand at all times. Serve lean meats and other sources of protein. Serve water instead of sugary beverages and try to keep fast food trips to a minimum.

We will exercise regularly. Exercise is critical for the whole family. It increases energy and stamina, rids the body of tension, promotes relaxation and improves cardiovascular function.

We will go green. You don't have to go extreme to make a difference. There are small things your family can do every day to help the environment. Teach your children how to recycle. Turn off lights when you leave a room or turn off water while brushing your teeth. Buy fresh, organic produce. Save used paper for scrap paper. Each action will go a long way in preserving our planet for future generations.

I will help my family give back. Giving back can take many forms, including donating recyclables to a can drive, boxing up toys and used clothes for a resale shop, giving a donation of time and/or money to a worthy cause of your child's choice. Talk with your family about how you can make a difference for others.

I will create a sense of community for my child. It's important to become a member of your child's school community. Children feel more confident and comfortable in school when they feel their families are part of the experience. Chaperone a class field trip. Share a special interest or talent with the class. Donate objects from home to the classroom. Volunteer whenever possible. Whatever you choose to do, you can feel good knowing that your child will benefit in the long run.

I will celebrate the successes. Parents can often be quick to "pick up" on the negative, but it's essential to focus on the positive. Whether it's a good deed, great report card, a dance recital, an awesome art project or even just a thorough job on chores, take an opportunity to praise your child. Have a special dinner, let them pick the movie on family night or even frame their accomplishment and hang it on a designated wall. Remember, taking the time to acknowledge these successes with your child means more than how you actually celebrate them.

I will make safety a priority. Every minute, 17 kids are seen in emergency rooms with unintentional injuries--that's 9.2 million a year. Take time to safety-proof your home. Install safety latches on cabinets and drawers. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Unplug hair dryers. Create a fire evacuation plan. Each small action you take will make your home safer for your family.

Source: Learning Care Group