Tips for Setting New Year's Resolutions with Your Child
The new year is a the perfect time to set fresh goals and intentions — and resolutions aren’t just for adults! Involving children in the process can be a great way to teach them about perseverance and help them build confidence and resilience. Whether it's developing healthier habits, fostering kindness, or learning a new skill, creating resolutions together can strengthen family bonds and set a positive tone for the year ahead. Read below for some tips to get you started.
Ask guiding questions. Setting resolutions can be hard. To help prompt your child, ask guiding questions about their hopes, dreams, and values. What’s something new they want to learn? What excites them? What’s something that would make them feel proud? What’s a healthy habit they can adopt in the new year?
Help your child stay realistic. Allowing your child to choose their own resolutions will ensure they’re setting goals that excite them. But setting goals that are unrealistic can lead to disappointment and frustration. Help set your child up for success by discussing their goals and helping them set parameters that they can stick to.
Keep it positive. You likely have behaviors you would love to see your child improve, such as keeping their room clean or flossing their teeth every night. However, framing resolutions around negative behaviors can feel discouraging. Instead, focus on the things your child already does well, and set goals around positive habits that your child can feel good about.
Make a vision board. Make goal-setting fun! A vision board can help your child visualize of their goals and makes the process more exciting. Hang the vision board somewhere visible to help keep them motivated throughout the year.
Set family goals. Consider choosing one or two goals that the whole family can work toward together, such as eating dinner as a family more often, spending more time outdoors, or practicing gratitude. Working as a team builds accountability and can help your family prioritize spending time together.
Create accountability. Help your child stay on track by checking in regularly on their progress. Encourage them to celebrate small milestones and adjust their goals if needed. You might create a chart, use stickers, or set up a reward system to keep them engaged and excited about their progress.