| Christmas is over and the end of the year is almost | | | | time with your spouse and children, but ensuring that |
| upon us. It's a time when most of us think over the | | | | you spend quality time with them. If you use a |
| past year and consider making New Year Resolutions. | | | | Blackberry or other PDA, consider giving yourself |
| January 1st marks the beginning of a new year and a | | | | some rules on its use. Turn it off during meals, keep |
| clean slate. | | | | it out of the bedroom, or resolve to quit using it |
| Few of us actually live up fully to all the | | | | while driving. |
| commitments we make. And that's okay. What's | | | | • At all times, resolve to be more patient |
| more important is that we try to retain the spirit with | | | | with your children: while this one may seem difficult, it |
| which they were made. Even by acting upon just a | | | | is not impossible. |
| few from the original list, and maybe even then only | | | | • Make a list of things you like to do and do |
| partially, we can still make the annual ritual of New | | | | them with your kids. Sometimes, dads feel guilty that |
| Year resolutions a worthwhile exercise. Additionally, | | | | they aren't doing the "right" things with their kids |
| the very act of writing down a task, objective, or | | | | during spare time. The key thing, though, is that you |
| resolution makes it more likely that you'll follow | | | | spend time with them. They will appreciate your |
| through on it. | | | | passion and may even take up activities that you can |
| Dads, here is a list of some New Year Resolutions | | | | share with them as they turn into young adults. |
| ideas to help you make the coming year a great one | | | | • Take the kids on that long pending |
| for yourself, your spouse and your kids: | | | | camping trip. There is simply no better way to bond |
| For yourself | | | | with your children than to have them experience the |
| • While it's great being a dad and shouldering | | | | great outdoors while living in a tent. |
| responsibility for the well-being of your family, you | | | | • Use a camera to put together a |
| have your own life too. Rediscover a hobby that you | | | | photographic record of your family. Or document the |
| loved, but gave up because you felt you lacked the | | | | growing years of your children on a camcorder. |
| time to nurture it. Or seek out a new one, maybe | | | | Studies show that happy people find ways to extend |
| take up golf, or gardening. | | | | or relive happy times. One way they do that is by |
| • Implement a fitness regime for yourself. A | | | | taking photos and recording events that make them |
| daily jogging schedule or workout session using a | | | | feel good. |
| home gym, treadmill, exercise bike, or elliptical trainer | | | | • Read out to your kids. Reading from |
| will help you stay in shape and is the biggest | | | | books meant for your children's age group, and |
| investment you can make for yourself - and for your | | | | following it up with a stimulating discussion or debate, |
| family. | | | | can make for an enriching family activity. For young |
| • At the end of a busy day, spare yourself | | | | infants, you can read out from illustrated board |
| the time to catch up on your reading. | | | | books, while pointing out the pictures to them. |
| For your spouse | | | | • Introduce your kids to a hobby. By |
| • Start dating your wife all over again! Buy | | | | encouraging your child to pick up a musical |
| her flowers, a box of chocolates, or a gift, and take | | | | instrument, for instance, you will be giving him or her, |
| her out to dinner, or to the movies. It will keep the | | | | an interest that will last a lifetime. |
| spark in your marriage alive, and help beat the stress | | | | • Introduce your kids to astronomy. A |
| out of everyday living. | | | | telescope, or even a good pair of binoculars, will open |
| • If possible, plan a quarterly getaway | | | | up the wonders of the night sky to them. Similarly, a |
| without the kids. Time away from the kids will give | | | | Star Theater Home Planetarium will allow you to bring |
| you time to reconnect with your spouse as a | | | | the stars right into your living room. |
| partner, rather than as a mom. You'll both find it | | | | • Decorate your children's room, using a |
| easier to come home to the kids if you have time to | | | | theme in keeping with the special interests of your |
| escape the routines of parenthood with the one | | | | child; he/ she will always love you for it. |
| person who shares the responsibility for getting you | | | | Being a great dad is an every day climb up the |
| in this situation in the first place. | | | | mountain, or a thousand-task test of parenting skills: |
| For your kids | | | | patience, generosity, creativity, intelligence, wisdom. |
| • Resolve to be more available to your | | | | What works one day is a failure the next. |
| family. This does not necessarily mean spending more | | | | |