Setting Intentions for a Healthier Family Life
I always have a long list of eczema-friendly New Year goals. As we welcome the New Year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what’s working, what’s not, and how we can improve our routines for the sake of our family’s health and happiness. In this post, I’ll share the strategies that have helped my kids thrive, highlight areas we’re working to improve, and outline actionable goals to make this year smoother and more intentional—all while keeping eczema-friendly practices at the forefront.
Let’s dive into this journey toward a balanced, nourishing, and eczema-safe lifestyle!
Listen Below For The Entire Episode on The Eczema Kids Podcast
Celebrating the Wins
1. Family Dinners: A Non-Negotiable Routine
One of our biggest wins is maintaining family dinners despite our busy schedule. Between late-night activities like dance and swimming, it’s easy to skip this cherished time, but we’ve made it a priority. Family meals offer an invaluable opportunity to connect, share, and create a sense of stability, which is especially important for children managing chronic conditions like eczema.
Goal for the New Year:
Keep family dinners sacred. Even if it means adjusting the timing, this is a tradition I don’t plan to let go of.
“The New Year is the perfect time to align your family’s rhythms with natural healing. By embracing seasonal foods, prioritizing rest, and thoughtfully adjusting your routines, you can create an environment where your child’s skin can truly thrive.” -Andra McHugh
2. Imaginative Play Over Screen Time
My kids have become pros at imaginative play, transforming blankets into forts, restaurants, or entire worlds. This kind of creative engagement not only fosters development but also keeps them off screens—a big win for their mental and physical health.
Why This Matters for Eczema:
Screen time can trigger stress and sleep disturbances, which may exacerbate eczema flare-ups. Encouraging hands-on, creative play supports healing by keeping cortisol levels low.
3. Quiet Time: A Moment of Calm Amid Chaos
With a two-year-old and a five-year-old who still nap, our daily quiet time has been a blessing. My older kids, ages seven and nine, use this time to read or engage in quiet activities. It’s a win-win: they get downtime, and I get a chance to prep for the next day, manage the kitchen, and catch my breath.
Goal for the New Year:
Keep this sacred space of calm intact, nurturing everyone’s well-being (including mine!).
4. Sibling Bonding and Responsibility
Watching my kids help each other has been heartwarming. From my seven-year-old assisting with math to my nine-year-old helping with supplements, these moments of teamwork are precious.
Why It’s Important:
Creating a supportive family dynamic fosters emotional well-being, which directly impacts physical health. For kids with eczema, emotional stress can be a major trigger.
Opportunities for Improvement
1. Bedtime Challenges
Let’s keep it real—bedtime is still a struggle. With three kids sharing a room, late-night chats and playtime often override sleep. Even when activities like swimming or dance end late, winding down feels like an uphill battle.
Plan to Improve:
- Experiment with screen-free story devices like Yoto or Tonies to help kids settle down.
- Create separate sleep spaces once our basement renovation is complete.
- Establish a stricter bedtime routine that promotes relaxation.
Eczema-Friendly Tip:
Sleep is critical for healing, as the body regenerates during rest. Improving bedtime routines can help reduce inflammation and support overall health.
2. Encouraging More Responsibility
While my kids do well with tidying and homeschooling, I’d love for them to take on more responsibility around meal prep and cleanup.
Plan to Improve:
- Incorporate small, manageable tasks during meal prep, like washing vegetables or setting the table.
- Make cleaning up a natural rhythm, so it doesn’t feel like a chore.
Eczema-Friendly Focus:
Teaching kids to help in the kitchen builds skills and fosters a sense of ownership over their health, which is empowering for managing chronic conditions.
Eczema-Friendly Goals for the New Year
Homemade Foods and Batch Cooking
While I currently make staples like ghee and yogurt, I want to expand into projects like gluten-free sourdough and vegetable-rich breakfast breads. These nutrient-dense, eczema-safe options can replace processed foods and provide lasting energy for my active kids.
Plan to Implement:
- Dedicate time on Sundays or another set day for batch cooking.
- Involve the kids in these projects to make it a fun family activity.
Why It Matters:
Homemade foods are free of preservatives, artificial ingredients, and other triggers for eczema. Plus, batch cooking saves time and reduces stress during busy weeks.
2. Seasonal, Healing Foods
Eating seasonal, eczema-friendly meals is central to our approach. This includes avoiding common triggers like eggs, nuts, and dairy while focusing on properly prepared and combined foods.
New Year Strategy:
- Incorporate more Ayurvedic food combining principles, like pairing animal proteins with vegetables instead of grains or fruits.
- Plan meals around seasonal produce to maximize nutrient intake.
3. Optimizing Our Home Environment
With the basement renovation underway, creating separate sleeping spaces will be a game-changer. A clutter-free, calming environment can improve sleep quality and reduce stress—both key for managing eczema.
Plan to Implement:
- Use low-toxin paints and materials during renovations.
- Keep rooms minimalistic to reduce dust and allergens.
4. Prioritizing Self-Care for Me
For years, I stayed up late to finish tasks, but I’m officially too tired to keep that up. Finding a sustainable rhythm for myself is a top goal this year.
Plan to Improve:
- Carve out time during the day for meal prep and other tasks.
- Establish my own bedtime routine to ensure adequate rest.
Why It’s Important:
As a mom, my energy directly impacts my kids’ well-being. Prioritizing my health allows me to show up fully for them.
Actionable Steps for an Eczema-Friendly Year
Revamp Bedtime: Create a calming routine with audio stories, separate sleep spaces, and consistent timing.
Plan Snacks: Stock the kitchen with quick, eczema-safe options like hummus, veggies, or homemade protein bites.
Engage Kids: Involve them in meal prep and cleanup to build responsibility and connection.
Expand Homemade Foods: Dedicate time to making nutrient-dense staples like sourdough and gluten-free breads.
Prioritize Self-Care: Find balance in your schedule to avoid burnout and model healthy habits for your kids.
Embracing the Journey
The New Year is a chance to realign our priorities and set intentions that support our family’s health and happiness. Whether it’s keeping cherished routines like family dinners, tackling bedtime challenges, or making more homemade foods, every small step adds up to a healthier, more eczema-friendly lifestyle.
Let’s embrace this season of growth together—because healing eczema isn’t just about the skin; it’s about creating an environment where our kids can thrive inside and out.
What are your eczema-friendly New Year goals? Share them in the comments below, and let’s inspire each other to make this year the best one yet!
FAQ
How can I encourage imaginative play to reduce screen time?
Provide open-ended toys like blocks, art supplies, or household items like blankets for fort-building. Encourage outdoor play and create a screen-free environment during certain hours to foster creativity and connection.
What are some eczema-friendly snacks for kids?
Here are a few quick and nutritious options:
Fresh fruit paired with coconut yogurt
Hummus with carrots or celery
Sliced cucumbers with sunflower seed butter
Homemade protein bites made with seeds and dates
Get recipes and more ideas inside the Eczema Elimination Method!
