The 70 degree, sunshiny weather of a week past was just a teaser. Clearly the downpours and sub-freezing temps of more recent days are brutal reminders that March is a temperamental month. Still that early promise of spring got me thinking about motivating concepts, all coincidentally beginning with the prefix “re”, that you and your family might consider as days get longer and everyone gears up for positive change.

Review: What parenting strategies have been working well lately? Which not so well? What new activities seem to be favorites in your household? What activities seem to be outgrown? Which behaviors, yours and/or your kid’s, are stressing you out? What different approaches might you take? What new levels of emotional and physical development have your kids arrived at? How might you foster and support those strides?

Renew: There are probably aspects of family life that work well, but might need a seasonal renew. Bikes to be oiled and tuned up, porch furniture to be cleaned, a fresh coat of paint on a wall or door. Do the same with familial/personal intentions, polish up your commitments to each other verbally, have a family discussion about what you love and admire about each family member. Sorry if this sounds corny, but heartfelt emotions are that way. Besides, a little corn never hurt anyone.

Replenish: What areas of your family and/or personal life feel depleted? Always been meaning to take your kids to the Metropolitan Museum but haven’t made it yet? Always meant to take a parent/child yoga class but never signed up? Felt the need for spirituality but never made it to morning services or meetings? The weather can no longer be your excuse. Take the leap and give something new a try. Even if you choose not to repeat it, you’ll feel fuller just making the attempt.

Refresh: Think of a family and/or personal ritual that is feeling a bit stale and add a new twist. If Saturday morning breakfasts at the corner diner are becoming boring whine-fests, consider Saturday morning picnics instead. If your gym-workout is starting to feel like a chore and not a charge, change it up. If you’re a diehard reader of the Sunday Times and your kid is starting to read (or pretend-read) on their own, have a pile of their books next to your newspaper and make it family reading time.

Rewind: When you’re feeling stressed, ready to snap off the heads of your nearest and dearest, or already having lost your cool, consider a rewind. Kids love rewinding and love seeing you do it as well.  Stand up and announce your intention to start over, spin around three times. If your kids think you need a few more spins just to play it safe, go for it. Rewinding works on both physical and metaphoric levels, appealing to doers and thinkers alike.

Reconnect: If there are friends you’ve lost touch with, ‘parent’ friends or ‘pre-kid’ friends, don’t be shy. Give them a call. The same goes for connections your kids made before winter drove everyone indoors and limited social contact. You may always have to be the initiator because some people are good at keeping up, others aren’t. Don’t take it personally, just pick up the phone and dial (or touch your screen).

Respect: Respect your kids. What matters to them is as important to them as what is important to you. Don’t pooh-pooh their wishes, dreams, desires. Respect their boundaries, and in turn teach them to respect yours. Model respectful behavior in public and private. Don’t expect your kids to be polite if they see you behaving like a pushy entitled customer, employer, neighbor or friend. Model respect for your environment and the earth. Don’t litter. Walk or ride bikes instead of driving whenever possible.

Keep this list handy, as a reminder. Have some fun adding your own ‘re’s’ (replace, repeat, relax, reboot, recycle…). And just because I can’t resist:

Remember, springtime isn’t the only time to work on improving family relations.

Originally published in A Child Grows in Brooklyn on June 6, 2010