New Year's Resolutions for Kids
It’s that time of the year again. A spanking new year is within sight and almost within grasp too. Many of us have made a ritual of using the last few days of the current year to dissect and plan the next one. Whether it is regarding our spending or eating habits, our laziness or even our inability to stick to plans, there is always scope for improvement. Making New Year’s resolutions is an objective way of reviewing our actions, identifying areas where we’re lacking and being more organized in life. And it is not only us who stand to benefit from it - making New Year’s resolutions can be equally rewarding for kids as it teaches them to plan, set goals and work towards them.
Teach your kids the value of planning, goal-making and of being disciplined by introducing them to the idea of making resolutions for the year ahead. Here are some tips to help you make the most out of this New Year ritual:
- A Family That Resolves Together…
Don’t expect your kids to make resolutions and stick to them if you do not do the same yourself. Lead the way and act as role models for them. It is a good idea to sit together as a family and go over the year’s events, concentrating on one individual at a time. However, don’t just focus on the misses. As important as it is to know where we fall short, encouragement for things done right is equally important. Encourage your child to self-analyze and then chalk out plans together.
- Different Strokes for Different Folks
If you have more than one kid, don’t club their resolutions into one. Kids are more likely to stick to a set of resolutions when it is personalized. Instead of making a ‘finish homework on time’ or ‘keep room tidy’ kind of list, concentrate on each one’s individual needs. Your child’s age and sex will also play a decisive factor in determining their resolutions for the upcoming year. The older the child, the more active she can be in coming up with the resolutions as well as in ensuring the goals are achieved throughout the year.
- That Sense of Achievement
We have all had that feeling at some point of time. Whether it stems from something big like finally getting that promotion or something simpler like getting up 10 minutes earlier every day, the sense of fulfillment one feels in achieving goals is phenomenal. Younger kids will need this sort of encouragement more often so make sure you include smaller goals to begin with. As kids experience the high of achieving their goals, their confidence levels will shoot up. This will help them tackle the bigger issues later.
