19 Dec 5 Tips for Setting New Year’s Resolutions as a Family
By Carli Mosby – Updated 2024
New Year’s is a great time to celebrate the past year and plan for new beginnings. Resolution setting is a common practice for adults that can help them set goals for the new year. It’s important to remember that our kids can benefit from resolution setting as well!
Creating resolutions with your children can help them understand the value of goal setting and teach the importance of self-motivation. It can also allow you to celebrate their victories with the whole family. Check out these five tips for setting New Year’s resolutions with your children:
- Start with self reflection
While questions like “How can I improve this year?” and “How does achieving goals make me feel?” may seem like big ideas, they are the sort of open-ended discussion points that can help children get more out of this goal-setting experience.
- Make it a family activity
A good way to teach your children the importance of resolution setting is by making it a family tradition. Have the whole family sit down together at the end of each year to not only determine individual goals, but family goals as well, such as having a family game night twice a month or committing to more outdoor family activities.
- Try something new
The new year is a great opportunity for each person in the family to try something new. Encourage your kids to try a new food or try a new activity, such as hiking, as a family.
- Keep resolutions visible and check in often
Once your child has chosen a few resolutions, display them in a place where the whole family can see them. As the year progresses, don’t forget to check in with your child regularly about their goals. As a family, discuss how your resolutions are going without judgment. If hurdles prevented you or your child from progressing on your resolution, use that as an opportunity to get curious about why something may or may not be working.
- Celebrate milestones and achievements
The best part of goal setting is celebrating successes! Taking the time out to acknowledge and celebrate achievements is an important way to keep your child motivated!
For more ideas and tips on resolution setting with your kids visit The Every Mom and HealthyChildren.org. OR check out some alternatives to New Years Resolutions like goals, intentions, and guides.
We can all make a resolution to help keep kids safe!
Photo by Roberto Jimenez Mejias on Dreamstime
