The New Year is traditionally a time to take stock and look forward. We'd like to help families get off to a great start this year, so we asked a group of local experts:

What one thing should parents do to help ensure their family enjoys a healthy and prosperous 2007?

Parents need to think about every aspect of their family's wellbeing. One of the cornerstones of any person's wellbeing is fitness. As parents it is our duty to plan family activities that emphasize fun. Remember, the more your children see you enjoying physical activity, the more likely they are to enjoy an active lifestyle today and in the future. You can dance, walk or jump together. The important thing is to just move and get your heart beating a little faster. Toddlers need at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity, and preschoolers need at least 60 minutes of structured and 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity per day. Remember it is up to us. Let's not let our children down.

Heather Watley
My Gym

In 2007, try to explore more options for efficient ways to save money. We all know how easy it is to overspend, especially during holiday seasons, so it is very important to pay attention to savings, whether it be for funding college educations for your children, money for a rainy day or money for retirement income. Inquire about ways for your employer to have it automatically taken out of your paycheck. If not, have money automatically drafted from your checking account into savings. The most efficient way to save in my opinion is to have it taken away from you before you ever see it-a systematic way of putting money in over a long period of time. Force yourself to do it and I believe you will soon have a happier financial life.

Jeff Hudson
Agent, New York Life Insurance Co.

First and foremost, families should realize the need to reconnect with each other. This means, turn off the television, video games, computer and cell phones and spend time by attending to one another. It is amazing how much my clients discover about their children by just sitting down with a board game for just 20 minutes each weekend. Often parents make a mistake by trying to find out information about their children's lives by firing numerous questions at them "interrogation" style. And often, these questions are being asked in the car while rushing from school to soccer practice. Parents need to realize that just like anyone else, they need to build trust by creating a calm and accepting atmosphere for their children in the home. Without a strong foundation built on respect, trust and honesty, conflict resolution is going to be a disaster.

Franciska Kocsner, M.A.
Counselor, Pastoral Institute

Listen to your children! Many parents believe that they always know best. Although this may be true, our children need to believe that their thoughts and feelings are important too. Most often, parents get the least amount of information about their children's lives and their dreams or desires because their children believe that their parents don't listen. Children learn what they can and cannot ask about based on the parents' response to them. Parents must communicate patience and understanding to their children. Parents, take the extra time and effort. Slow down long enough to listen and then reflect to your children what you are hearing. Remember, children are often willing to share their own thoughts and feelings if they believe that their parents are truly listening.

Fred Remick, LPC
Pastoral Institute

Food-label reading is important. Everyone knows about the issues caused by too much fat and sugar and salt. So we need to purchase items that are good for children and families. We need to be empowered with ways to avoid the fast food trap. I am not a fast-food basher. I know how busy families are these days. But there are good and not-so-good fast foods. We want to keep fat low, so fries should be off the table. Drink milk as a beverage rather than sodas. Fruit is an option at fast-food restaurants now. Make better decisions when we do have to rely on fast food. And parents can form cooking clubs, each preparing a healthy dish times five to share with four other families, providing dinners for a week. This also creates social time and allows the kids to get involved.

Jessie Wright MS, RD, LD
Nutrition Management Services, Inc.