A Very Good Year

2009. A fresh start. A clean slate. New Year's Resolutions. Many of us have made personal resolutions for the coming year. Usually at the top of the list is lose weight or to get organized. I always have to wait for the losing weight part until a talented friend's Christmas gift of homemade biscotti is gone. Come on. It's only once a year!

Our own good intentions are great, but how about Family Resolutions for 2009? Have a sit down and network ideas with your spouse and children. Ideas that will improve the quality of your home and family. There is no "right" way to do this, but here is a possible formula.

#1. Make it a festive event. Special snacks. A large tablet and colored markers. Nominate and elect your facilitator and "audio-visual" expert. Turn the phones and TVs off. Open the floor for discussion.

#2. Brainstorm issues, problems, concerns. Talk about the quality of your family's life and how to improve it. It's a time to make plans for the coming year. Then it's a time to figure as a family how to implement them.

#3. Nothing is too silly. Everything is important. Let everyone have a voice. Brainstorm. Write down everything brought up. Keep laughing but address issues.

#4. Go down the list, item by item. Prioritize and rank by order of importance as decided by the family. Some things on the list are no brainers- say like, meatloaf without green peppers; pledges to call Grandma every week; a family vacation destination; but other items on the list may need a little negotiating. Debate is a good thing. Let the pros and cons be heard. Then vote if the resolution should be on the family list. (Note: Make it part of the process that parents can override a majority if the request is out of line-no curfew for example).

#5. Maybe a theme or certain focus would work for your group. Like- a healthier lifestyle, better communication, financial concerns, or more time together as a family. Just determine whatever seems a good and positive direction for you and yours, and as a unit, identify all the ways to get there.

Make 2009 a year to remember. Resolve to make your fabulous family even better. Instead of looking back next December and wishing you all had, look back next December and be glad you all did!