Baby Talk - New Year's Resolutions for Children

When I was growing up, everyone in my family made resolutions. Like it or not! Without realizing it, we were basically setting SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely). If you know my Mom, you can see her written all over this! This approach helped us to set ourselves up for success, although without proper execution on our part, we sometimes failed to keep our resolutions.

Here are a few tips to help you encourage individual and/or family resolutions.

• Allow your child a role in selecting the resolution. This permits her/him to “own” the resolution, which aids in holding oneself accountable.

• By keeping resolutions positive, your child is much more excited about “doing something” rather than “avoiding something.”

• Find a fun way to help your child hold themselves accountable. Putting a bead in a jar every time the resolution is accomplished or working jointly on a resolution with other family members helps your child to gauge her/his level of success.

• Problem solving skills and strategies, along with self-forgiveness, can be taught as you help your child address possible lack of follow-through on resolutions.

Child resolutions do not need to be grand gestures. Consider individual resolutions, such as doing something nice for someone else daily, completing a household task or personal responsibility on a regular basis, or routinely thanking someone for helping them. Family resolutions could be focused around volunteering or engaging in a game night on a regular basis.

What other suggestions do you have for helping your child with new year resolutions? Please, share.