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