As 2017 draws to an end, this is the time for us to look back and reflect on the year that we are ringing out and focus on making some New Year Resolutions for our family.
Before we get started, let’s take a moment to reflect on:
♦ What are some of the good things that happened this year that you want to continue,
♦ What are some of the not so good things that you would want to forget about; and
♦ What are the new things that you learnt this year, maybe a life lesson that you want to carry over to 2018?
For me, there are the three resolutions to ponder when making my own list for the new year:
Resolution 1 – Reduce your screen time and increase your face-time with family and loved ones.
Our mobile devices are no longer a novelty. Rather, they have become a must-have for most individuals as part of their everyday life. Between the emails, phone calls, texts, social media, task apps, maps and everything else, it’s the first thing we look at in the morning and the last thing we do before we sleep.
This year, try to look away from your mobile device and cherish the time you have with your kids and family. Instead of looking at life from behind a screen, view it first-hand with your own eyes. It won’t be easy, but be mindful and make a conscious effort to do so. Your relationships are precious. Protect them.
Resolution 2 – Stay healthy & get active to ensure that the family’s overall well-being is taken care of.
No more excuses this year, it’s time to really start living a healthy and active lifestyle! Do it for yourself your family. Find ways to incorporate fitness into your daily routine. Opt to take the stairs everyday instead of the lift, park further away, as every extra step counts towards an active lifestyle.
Make a conscious effort to choose healthier food and lifestyle options for your family by eating more vegetables, cutting down on the sugary treats and reducing refined carbs. Even the slightest changes to your lifestyle now will have a great impact on your well-being in the future.
Resolution 3 – As the little ones grow, plan for the future and start early!
You can’t predict the future, but you can plan for it. We live in one of the safest and most prosperous countries in the world, but in this age of volatility, the unexpected can happen to all of us. It is important to create a safety net to ensure security for our family.
If you do not already have life and medical insurance policies in place, this should be the year to look into it. Start planning a smart savings endowment for your child’s education and your own retirement. A bit of savings and investment now will ensure that that your loved ones are taken care of for the years to come.
Sticking these New Year’s resolutions should not have to be a hard or daunting task. Try to incorporate your resolutions into fun family activities. My family recently attended the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival and by attending we were able to follow our New Year’s resolutions, all the while having a super fun time in the process!
With over 40 games and rides to experience from all over the world, the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival is a fun place for all ages and a great way for us to spend some quality family time together. There are many rides to choose from for both the thrill seeker and the young ones, such as the Mach 5, Euro Coaster, Star Flyer, Jungle River, and Apple Coaster, among others.
In between the rides, we tested our skills and took turns playing the games at the booths in the hopes of winning a prize. To our excitement, my little 6 year old son won a stuffed donut by knocking down the pins!
As for our health & fitness resolution, there were a lot of fun activities at the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival that involved throwing, jumping and overall mental focus. We also walked (and sometimes ran) from one end to the other as the massive Carnival grounds spanned across a distance that’s equivalent to 3.5 football fields!
In an effort to win $30 carnival credits, we took part in “The Bounce” creative photo Instagram contest. We also bounced, jumped and spun on a big trampoline. Fingers crossed!
We also got some additional exercise by vigorously riding the fitness bike at the Prudential PruPlayce booth, which featured a meter that lights up! Once we were done, we got some juice with compliments from Prudential. Definitely a perfect quick and healthy pick-me up before we started the games again.
Sticking to your New Year’s resolutions should not be a chore. Find ways to incorporate your 2018 resolutions into enjoyable and memorable family experiences like we did while attending the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival. For more details check out the event website before making your way for a first-hand experience with your family. From now until 1 April 2018, admission is free!
All in all, if we can ensure our family’s security and good health by protecting their interests and spending quality time to bond over what truly matters, we can usher in the New Year well-prepared!
Wishing you and your family the best of luck for 2018!
-xoxo-
SuperMommy
*This blog post also appears in theAsianparent.