A lot of people make weight loss and lifestyle changes as their New Year’s resolutions, but pediatricians also advise making good parenting goals.
Pediatrician Dr. Steph Lee stated, “This is a great time to take a step back, take a breath, and look at how we as a family are taking care of ourselves and each other.” “What are we currently doing well enough? First, let’s rejoice over that. Next, let’s discuss how we can all do better and make a list of personal and family objectives for the upcoming year.
According to a press release from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Lee stated, “If you’ve felt overextended in the past year, maybe this is the year you decide to join a parent’s group for support or maybe it’s time you said no to some things.” “We care about parents too, because when parents are well, they create a healthy environment for children to thrive. Your pediatricians can help you with your child’s health.”
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Pediatricians
Eight goals that could help families thrive in 2024
Lee suggested the following eight goals that could help families thrive in 2024:
Pediatricians
- Get recommended shots. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, your children and other loved ones from the flu, RSV and COVID. Call your pediatricians to make sure your children have all the recommended immunizations and remind them that good hand hygiene habits help prevent the spread of germs
- Do good digital. What are your kids watching on TV and online? Make a family media use plan and try to prevent gaming from becoming an unhealthy habit. Remember that screen time shouldn’t always 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, build 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 outside 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 your car seat limits. Kids grow fast, and they can outgrow car seats faster than parents realize. Keep children riding rear-facing as long as possible, up to the limits of their car seat This commonly includes children under 2 and most children up to age 4. See if there are any new car seat laws that may be going into effect in your state in the new year
- Cook as a family. Many families enjoy baking treats together during the holidays. Keep the fun going in the new year. Pick special times to cook together and get children involved, from choosing recipes to buying ingredients at the store. If your child is a fussy eater, this can get them to try new, healthy foods
- Make a family disaster kit. It’s scary to think how disasters like blizzards, wildfires, hurricanes, or tornadoes could affect your family, but extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Being ready is one way to be less afraid. Ask your children what they would want with them in a disaster and assemble necessities like non-perishable foods, flashlights and bottled water
- Mind your mental health. When was the last time you had a check-up? Got proper rest? Depression and anxiety can happen to both moms and dads during and after pregnancy, even up to three years after having a child. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7 by calling 1-833-943-5746
Pediatricians
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Disclaimer: The opinions and suggestions expressed in this article are solely those of the individual analysts. These are not the opinions of HNN. For more, please consult with your doctor
