18 things to do with your kids

By Lauri Hennessey

Okay, it's a new year again.

Sure, 2008 sounds like science fiction (I think it all started sounding science-fictiony when we hit 1990, so I have nowhere to go but down). But a new year is a new year.

We all want to do better as parents, right? But we are busy. We all want to make resolutions in the new year. But keeping them takes time. And we all want share great values with our kids, but we look up, and we have never got around to it.

That's where the clip and save philosophy comes in. You may know what want you want to do, but you need a reminder, right?

So, with the knowledge that these kinds of lists sometimes make themselves to your refrigerator door, where they get to remind you of things on a daily basis all year around, here are some things you might want to try in the coming year.

- Work on a family project together; engage the kids and your spouse in home improvement efforts or baking projects.

- Walk at Lincoln Park in the rain with your kids.

- One day or more a week, eat dinner together as a family with the TV turned off and talking to each other as a family.

- Make a regular date night with your spouse.

- Teach your daughter about drinking tea, and then go and have some together.

- Help your kids make their presents from scratch for birthday and Christmas this year.

- Adopt a child from "Save the Children" and teach your kids about him or her and how lucky they are to live here.

- Have your kids go through their toys and find things they don't want four times this year, and give them to kids that do.

- Coach a kids' sports team.

- Perform in a show with your kids if you perform. If not, help behind the scenes.

- Play word games together like Scrabble, Balderdash, Sudoku or crossword puzzles.

- Pursue a hobby you forgot about it-and it can't include your kids. Just for you.

- Snuggle your kids tonight - no matter how old they are.

- Teach your kids about Pike Place Market and go there together.

- Go to Curious Kidstuff at the West Seattle Junction and watch your kid.

- Put the cell phone down.

- Spend time with an older person this year.

- Teach your children about grammar.

Lauri Hennessey has three children and has written this column in the Herald for the last 10 years and you can reach her at Lauri@hennesseypr.com