A new year is coming and you’re determined that this year, things will be different. You promise to lose weight, to save more for the college fund, to stop yelling at the kids so much. While we usually just think of improving ourselves, the new year is also a perfect time for the family to start over, pulling back together after the hectic holidays. This year, don’t just resolve to trim your waistline or your budget — reconnect to your loved ones, too. Here’s how:

Don’t over-schedule

Before you add new habits, take a look at your old ones. Too many commitments run the family ragged. Don’t take on anything new until you review your current obligations. Decide what’s important, then let go of the rest. Next, make a plan to avoid over-scheduling this year. Try to anticipate which sports, lessons or church activities you will want to do later in the year. This way, you won’t accidentally agree to something now that will overload you in October.

Eat together

Have meals together several nights a week, preferably about the same time each night. Mealtime should be family time. That means no television, no newspapers, no telephone. It also means no nitpicking. Don’t nag the kids about science projects or half-cleaned rooms. Stick to fun, interesting topics or just absorb the minutiae of your child’s day.

Clean together

Whether you do daily chores or a Saturday morning cleaning spree, doing it together allows you to sneak in a few more minutes with your family. Instead of putting the kids in front of the TV or shooing them outside so you can get things done, choose a few jobs they can do with you. Since most kids aren’t natural-born cleaners, their “help” might make things take longer at first. Don’t worry. Over time, they’ll get the hang of it. In the meantime, you get to watch them learn something new. If you focus on enjoying your family’s company instead of how disgusting that lasagna dish is, you might find washing dishes isn’t so bad.

Exercise together

You don’t have to run marathons. Just get outside with the kids a few times a week. Walk around the block, toss a ball in the yard … whatever your kids enjoy. A little bit of sunlight builds vitamin D, while the physical activity helps keep us healthy. Exercise also boosts our bodies’ natural “feel-good” endorphins — neurotransmitters that give us a sense of calm and well-being. Even a few minutes of movement can drain the day’s tension, improving everyone’s mood.

Go to sleep

What child can sleep with all those sugarplums dancing in his head? After the holiday chaos, a regular sleep schedule helps the kids catch up on those lost “Zs” and helps you recover from your mall marathons. Plus, if everyone gets enough sleep, there will be fewer morning battles, less afternoon irritability and more family harmony.

Take a meeting

In addition to lifestyle changes, improving your communication also strengthens family bonds. Plan regular, brief sessions to review any disagreements. Take turns, be nice and look for solutions. Don’t criticize or browbeat. Listen to and acknowledge feelings, but don’t wallow in whining. Save a few minutes to check everyone’s schedule for upcoming events and plan accordingly.

Now, how hard was that? Making (and keeping) a few simple resolutions for the family will pull you closer together throughout the year. Now if only losing weight were that easy …

Tamara Stevens, MA, LPA, HSP-PA, is a child psychologist at Washington Pediatrics and can be reached by calling 252-946-4134.