Resolve to hang out with your kids

This is an example of bad family time. Resolve not to do it in 2012.

My husband and I have a no-TV policy before our daughter goes to bed. It’s not that we necessarily don’t believe kids should ever watch television. We just want to maximize that two-hour window between when we all get home and when she goes down for the night. So this press release from the Oklahoma City-County Health Department caught my eye. Here are five New Year’s Resolutions they suggest families adopt this year as a way to improve quality time.

1. Follow a routine. It’s easy for our daily routines to get lost over the holidays with the kids out of school, traveling and holiday celebrations. This can lead to increased stress. Make a resolution to return to your effective bedtime or morning routines (or create a new one if you don’t have one) in order to reduce stress and focus on positive interactions with your family.
2. Praise your child for positive behavior. Many parents fall into the trap of focusing the majority of their attention and energy on a child’s misbehaviors and ignoring the positive behaviors.
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