New Year’s is all about new beginnings. Winter break is an excellent time to access how your children are doing in their studies. How can you help your children make successful New Year’s resolutions? Hint: It starts and ends with you.
Focus On The Fun
- Once your children are in school, their move toward independence accelerates.
- This is the time you can guide your children to develop healthy and happy habits.
- Setting goals should be a fun experience!
Walk The Walk
- Kids will be looking at their parents to see if they are accomplishing their resolutions.
- One great way of demonstrating [follow-through] is to create family resolutions.
- Some ideas include visiting relatives more or setting up a weekly game night.
- Ultimately, parents have to “Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk”.
- You are the ultimate resolution role model!
Suggest Resolutions, Never Dictate
Part of the idea around setting resolutions is embracing your child’s growing independence. This is the time that your kid is beginning to gain a greater awareness of themselves and those around them.
- Work with your child to set short and long-term resolutions.
- Make realistic goals. You want your child to experience success.
- Writing down resolutions should be done in a warm and happy environment.
- Never dictate resolutions. Your child should lead the conversation. Guide your child gently.
Make It A Family Tradition
- Resolution writing should be considered a bonding experience.
- Develop traditions for this time, such as sharing a glass of apple cider or hot chocolate, to be enjoyed while writing.
- Whether you’re an adult or child, it’s easy to forget these resolutions.
- Check with your kids on a periodic basis to see how they’re doing.
- Hold your discussion while enjoying a special treat.
- Resolutions should be considered something positive.
- Tweaking their goals (reasonably) is okay.
