How to Include Children in a Meaningful New Year's Celebration

A family event is an exciting way to begin anew.

Ringing in the New Year seems to be a festivity for adults. Often, parents focus on nightlife and leave kids with a babysitter. Even when parents stay home, the kids are pushed to the background so that the grownups can party. If you would like to approach the ringing out of the old and the beginning of the new from a different angle--with your children a part of it--here are some ways to make New Year's meaningful.

Instructions

1. Create tradition. The Lyle family of four have been taking an afternoon bike ride together on New Year's Day for several years. The kids look forward to it, and the parents like the exercise. The preparation for the ride begins the night before. There's plenty to arrange, so everyone contributes by doing a chore. There are snacks to pack, tires to pump, routes to map and clothes to ready. A family event is an exciting way to begin anew. What activity might your family enjoy participating in together? Think exercise, think creatively, think activity. Invite another family to join with you. Plan it and do it once, and it could become a tradition that starts the New Year right.

2. Include your children. There's an advantage to allowing the kids to participate in at least part of the evening's activities. Not only will they feel special, they'll learn that there are many ways to mark the passing of the year. Much of what children learn about New Year's Eve is from television and focuses on drinking and raucous behavior, so it's wise to provide other options.

3. Stay up. Most kids and teens like to stay up late, so why not have a family sleepout in the living room? Put sleeping bags and blankets on the floor, and that way, if someone falls asleep before midnight, you can wake each other up with your cheering. Chances are the parents might fall asleep first. Think about how much fun the kids will have waking you up. Even toddlers will like ringing in the New Year this way. By the way, be sure to give everyone the traditional kiss as the clock strikes 12.

4. Review the year. It's inspiring to look back and think about the good and happy things that happened over the last year. Each member takes a turn sharing. You might be surprised at how much this review energizes everyone for the possibilities to come.

5. Share a goal or a wish. It's customary to make resolutions for the New Year, but I prefer a slight twist of setting tiny goals or making special wishes. Each family member writes down one goal and one wish, and then each takes a turn sharing it. Stating the goal or wish out loud is a powerful way to turn the thought into positive action. Then the goals and wishes are pasted on poster board and hung up for a little reminder. Each member is asked by other members: "What can we do to help you reach your goal?" This activity reminds each of us that we are a family pulling together.