For several years, my husband and I tried our best to wake the little ones just a few minutes before midnight so that they could celebrate the New Year with us. Most of the time, we were met with resistance to getting up, crankiness if they managed to get up, and a horrible day after for little ones whose sleep was interrupted.
So after a few frustrating New Year's celebrations, it was decided that kiddie celebrations would have to be before the stroke of midnight. Here are some ideas on how to ring in 2012 with your kids.
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- Celebrate "Noon Year's Eve." The countdown to 12 can be 12 pm instead of am. Have party hats, fun seltzer drinks, and count down to Happy Noon Year!
- Celebrate another time zone's New Year. It's midnight somewhere! Check out www.timeanddate.com/time/map for information on time zones and celebrate!
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- Count down the 12 minutes to bedtime. Each minute incorporate something special, a kiss, a hug, or telling your kids things you love about them are just some great ideas.
- Make a list of New Year's resolutions with your kids. Telling them your own resolutions can even help you stay on track. Help your kids decide what they can do differently or what they want to start or change.
- Celebrate New Year's at breakfast. Once they wake up, eat breakfast with New Year's hats on and drink orange juice with sparkling water mixed in. If you can, record the Peach Drop ( or whatever countdown you watched) and replay it for your kids.
These are just some ideas that can help you incorporate your kids into celebrating the New Year with you. The memories are sure to last a lifetime.
Happy New Year!
