By Nina Cavalli, MD, FAAP

The new year has been here for a month. How are you doing on your resolutions?

It is now time to look at how you are taking care of your family.

Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics to consider in the next year:

• Get everyone up to date on recommended immunizations. Vaccines protect your children from various preventable diseases. Please make sure your children and you are up to date.
  
  
• Build healthy digital habits. What are you children watching on TV and playing on video games/tablet? Research age-appropriate media and make a family plan of how much and when screen time is allowed. Watch and play together, screen time should not always be alone time.
  
  
• Read together. Set time to read together every day. Reading has many brain boosting benefits. This can become part of the bedtime routine for many. Another option is audio books, this can be played while commuting to and from school or activities, or just when waiting in line at a drive thru.
  
  
• Get outside. Living in Florida we have good weather most of the year. Spending time outside can be a great mood booster. Outside activities help families get needed daily physical activity, may help with sleep and relieves the eyes from screen time, not to mention vitamin D.
  
  
• Car seats and seatbelts for all. Make sure your child is in the appropriate car restraint for age, weight and height.
  
  
• Cook as a family. Make it fun, schedule a day or special time to try new receipt – experiment. This is a way to keep the children interested in food and eating healthy. Even picky eaters may become more interested in a variety of food and trying new things. Maybe even have kids help with the shopping.
  
  
• Make a family disaster kit. Living in Florida we are very aware of hurricanes and the disasters they bring to our community. Being ready is a way to be less afraid. Ask your children what they would want to include in their disaster kit and have them help assemble the kit with you. Show them where you keep it and always have a plan in place in case a disaster hits.
  
  
• Mind mental health and practice self-care. Make sure you and your family gets proper rest and adequate sleep. Caring for ourselves affects how we care for others in our family. Don’t forget about mental health. Anxiety and depression are on the rise so consult your doctor if you are experiencing any change in your mood.

Adapted from Healthychildren.org