New Years resolutions for Free Range families

We’re not about being strict and setting thousands of goals here at Bluestone - but the turn of the year always gets us thinking.

So we’ve come up with a list of resolutions we always come back to when the clock strikes 12 on December 31st. We’re family folk, so they’re all about parents and children - but we think they apply to just about anyone.

They’re also in the spirit of our new manifesto for life at Bluestone. It’s a statement of who we are, what we believe in, and what we think makes happy parents and happy kids.

So in the spirit of our manifesto - here are a few resolutions to aim for. No judging if you don’t keep them!

Resolutions You'll Never Give Up

Eat together, often

Families that eat together, stay together - so the saying goes. Make it the year to make sure you’re all around the dinner table as often as possible. Researchers say it’ll make you feel better connected and often healthier - as families who plan meals often plan for them to be more nutritious.

If you’re staying with us at Bluestone turn your short break into a lesson for life back home. Our lodges are fully self-catered - so the children can join in planning for dinner and help out around the kitchen. And there’s nothing wrong with getting everyone around the table at the Farmhouse Grill either!

Make a scrapbook

There are few things more treasured in life than family pictures. So give your children pictures - that means printing them out rather than making a folder on your phone. Keep a scrapbook of all your memories and build it together - it’ll be a keepsake they never forget. We should imagine it would be worth reserving a few pages for Bluestone.

Plan adventures - and actually go!

Enjoy one of the best beaches in the world at Barafundle Bay or try surfing for the first time at Whitesands Bay. The important thing is to do it together. Try making a nice long bucket list of things you want to do and then put them on a calendar - as a family.

Learn to read together

Children get to a certain age when they’re not so interested in reading anymore. But research shows that taking the time to read together even as children get older really pays off. So let them choose the story and enjoy it together.

Devices down, play games together

When was the last time you sat down and had a family games night? Turn the consoles and dust off the Monopoly board and start a new tradition. You’ll find yourself connecting with each other and it might get older kids communicating with you! Just ask any of the families who played our exclusive Bluestone Monopoly!

Embrace your silly side

Why are children the ones to have all the fun?

If there’s one takeaway from this list, it’s that everyone should relax and find time to be more silly. We believe Free Range Kids are raised by Free Range Parents - and Free Range Parents are silly a lot of the time.

Join in with the soft play, get covered in slime, and have fun. Like our manifesto says - pebbles need skipping, holes need digging, water needs splashing and bugs, frogs and slimy stuff need capturing. And all before bedtime!