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Are
you 'at home' on New Year eve?
Kids are
closest to a parent's heart on New Year eve. And obviously, sweet home
is the venue for the celebrations. Here are some suggestions for making
the most of the opportunity.
Even as you
and your family is about to usher into a new year and a new millennium,
make the most of the celebration time. This is the time you can really
make a difference to your growing toddler or schoolgoer or even your infant.
Start a tradition
Start a New
Year tradition now, when your kids are in an impressionable age. Let New
Year be a time for festivities and exchange of love. Preferably, do not
wait for your children to grow up. Or else the kids will grow up and declare
their individual plans for the season. Register the concept of New Year
resolutions during this season. Do not be cynical about the resolutions
of your little one. Accept them at face value.
What to do in the
night?
If you are
not up for big entertainment, let your fun be totally kid-focused. Invite
couples with kids belonging to the age group of your children. This will
mean a special get-together for the kids and for their parents too.
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Let the food theme
be Dutch where everyone contributes dishes to avoid extra strain on any
one kitchen. Avoid expansive menus and preparations. New Year eves aren't
just about food you know.
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Usually the pinnacle
of the New Year party is well past the bedtime of children. Don't worry
on that count. It is not important to keep your children awake only to
see the clock strike twelve. If the kids are tired, let them sleep.
Witnessing the stroke of midnight isn't as important to young kids, as
a fun evening with friends and family.
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Consider turning
on the stereo and dancing to rock music, playing games, watching videos
and building a barbecue to roast some chicken. Maybe you can have a video
or computer game competition, or the regular games like passing the parcel,
musical chairs and housie between parents and children. When played with
parents, these games take on much more meaning.
Special family
time
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While the big-time
celebrations are on, let the following day be completely devoted to inter-personal
communication. In today's times of hectic pace, television, computers,
and video games affect family time. That leaves families with fewer opportunities
to spend meaningful time together. So use this opportunity to think what
your family would really enjoy doing together. And plan accordingly.
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Be sure to create
a New Year's memory book with pictures. When your kids are grown up and
gone, you'll savor the book for years. And so will they, whether they accept
it or not. Let your kids put past year's highlights together in a book
of family photos, ticket stubs and other reminders on the New Year's evening.
Then help them add captions. Add a new installment every year.
Protect kids
from uncomfortable situations
Children don't
feel comfortable when in the company of inebriated and over drunk adults.
So draw a line for yourself. You may enjoy drinks, but with grace and decency.
Or if you want excess alcohol, make separate arrangements for children.
Avoid late-night revelry and the mandatory aspirin on the first day of
the year.
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