Family New Year's Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions shouldn't just be a time for adults to take inventory of their lives and what they’d like to change, it is important we help our children to be a part of this process too. Whether you are making a resolution for your entire family or if your child is old enough to make his/her own resolutions, it is a great time to teach your children about goal setting and self-discipline.  Setting resolutions with your children are also a great way to help them explore new hobbies and interests.  Here are some ways you can have your child join the New Year’s resolution fun!

Sit down as a family and reflect on your past year. Ask questions such as, what were some of your favorite things you did last year? What things did you do that you want to continue to do, or do more of? What things didn't work well (i.e. getting ready for school, homework time, etc.)? What responsibilities might they be ready for this year? This is a great time to reflect on individual responsibilities and add in more chores that are age appropriate. While asking these questions, reflect on what would make them feel better about themselves and what might improve how things work in your family.

First, make some family resolutions together. These will work as great examples of how you can accomplish a goal together, and to teach goal setting and self-discipline strategies they can use to accomplish some of their individual goals they might set.  

Next, talk about the individual resolutions each of you can make. Only pick one or two as not to overwhelm your child with too many goals to focus on. Start by explaining some of your personal resolutions and how you plan to accomplish them. Then, help your child to make their own goals. Even your preschool age child can make some New Year’s resolutions; things like working on listening skills, specific house chores, being nice to friends, pets, siblings, or educational goals such as learning the ABC’s or sight words. Keep it simple! Older children might create goals to explore new interests such as learning new languages, learning to paint, draw, etc. It is also a time they can reflect on their academics and focus on areas of improvement.( If you are looking for some inspiration, check out this link from the American Academy of Pediatrics that lists some age appropriate resolution suggestions)  Help them to create goals that are obtainable so they can find success in their efforts. Creating short-term goals along the way to eventually meet their long term goal will help to keep them motivated as they see their small successes on their road to their larger resolutions.  

Through this process they will be watching your progress to reaching your goals. It is important to take your own resolutions seriously and share with them when you make mistakes. This will show them that we are all human and that they too will make mistakes on the road to accomplishing their resolutions, but it doesn't mean we can’t start again and achieve our goals.

Remember to take time for reflection on your resolutions. In order to be successful in meeting our resolutions, we need to take time every so often to review our progress. Sit down and review with your children their progress as well and praise them for gains they've made toward their goals. If they are off track, help them to get back on track. This isn't a time for punishment, but a time for praise and reflection to continue building those skills towards goal setting and self-discipline.

One suggestion to tracking progress over time is to write down your family’s resolutions to be posted in a collective spot in your house. This will serve as a reminder for you and your children what your resolutions are and the steps you've taken to accomplish them. Charts are also a great visual for children to see progress of their success and rewards serve as great motivation for everyone as well.

However your family decides to participate in creating New Year’s resolutions, it will no doubt be a great bonding time to kick off the New Year!