5 Tips For Setting Resolutions with Kids

Every January we embark on a brand new year with new hopes, ambitions, and desires for the year to come. For many of us, this means setting resolutions. 

Making resolutions and sticking to them serves as a great exercise for kids as well as parents. The process of setting a resolution, or goal, is a great lesson in decision-making and self-awareness. Achieving our goals leads to improved confidence and self-esteem. Try setting your New Year’s resolutions as a family this January and support each other along the way!

​​Here are 5 tips to help kids set and stick with their resolutions!

1. Find What Motivates You​​
   1. Setting the goal is the easy part, but staying motivated is a whole other ballgame. A great way to keep your kid’s  goals alive is to make it fun and engaging every day. Try tracking their progress on a large whiteboard or sticker board, or by placing marbles in a jar every time they complete a goal. You could also make it a family friendly competition! Find what keeps your family motivated and go for it.  ​
2. Keep it Positive
   1. ​​​When discussing your resolutions, try to stick to positive language like “What is something that could be better?” or “What is something that would make you happy?” as opposed to “You should stop doing this.” This gives your kids a better attitude towards their goals and keeps them from feeling like they are lacking in some way.  
3. Set an Example
   1. This one is self-explanatory. Children will be more likely to follow through with their resolutions if parents lead by example. If they see you committing and focusing on your goals, then they will be more inclined to do the same. 
4. Be Flexible & Re-access
   1. Life is unpredictable and desires change over time. Don't be afraid to make adjustments to your goals along the way if they don’t feel right anymore, or if your circumstances or priorities change. Learning to re-access every so often, make a new plan and move forward is a great skill for kids to practice.  
5. Find Importance in the Journey
   1. Achieving a goal, no matter how big or small, instills a great sense of confidence, but there is much to gain from the journey itself. Completing a goal isn't just about hard work and determination, but about making intentional choices and finding lessons in the challenges along the way. Even if you never reach a goal, you can be proud of the effort and progress you made throughout the process, as well as take the lessons you’ve learned into your next goal. 

Here are some great ideas of healthy resolutions for kids. We wish you a very happy, healthy, and safe New Year!

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References:
Brown, Scott. “Setting SMART New Year’s Resolutions for Kids.” Active Kids. https://www.activekids.com/parenting-and-family/articles/setting-smart-new-year-s-resolutions-for-kids
Conte, Kim. “Smart(and Fun!) New Year’s Resolutions Kids Can Make.” Parents. https://www.parents.com/holiday/new-years/resolution/smart-new-years-resolutions-kids-can-make/