New year's resolutions. Making them work for us.

Ask Rachel anything

We've all done it; new year, new me. By January the 11th the lustre has rubbed off our shiny resolutions and we're back to our old habits.

The reality is that making resolutions and getting them to stick is harder than we'd like it to be. So how do we make changes in our parenting and our family in a way that will continue to work after the fireworks and fun?

In this podcast:

We talk about uncovering the intention behind the resolution.
How to unpack those big problems to find a smaller goal to guide you.
How to use small habits in your day to make those big changes more easy.
And how using positivity can keep us going.

Some ideas:

• Ask your teen what key change they would like to see and don't react badly to the answer
• Find one on one time with each child
• Don't text and drive
• Create a tech contract
• Create a chores contract
• Yell less
• Listen more
• Sort out sleep routines
• End your work day
• Find space for you
• Don't judge out loud
• Let your teen cook once a week
• Don't judge people out loud
• Let your teen make their mistakes so they learn from them
• Demonstrate the behaviour you want to see
• Practice gratitude
• Build a parent tribe of others who're in a similar situation
• Make time for your partner
• Get outside more
• Sit down to family meals more often
• Find games or activities you can all enjoy together

Resources:
Small Move Big Change by Caroline Arnold.
https://beenke.com/parenting/parenting-resolutions-you-can-actually-keep/
https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/980167/new-years-resolutions-for-parents-of-teens/
https://www.rootsofaction.com/resolutions-that-can-change-your-teens-life/
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/uncontrollable-anger-prevalent-among-youth

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Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits.

Find all the tips from the episdoe on Substack:

My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com
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