Setting SMART (specific, motivating, attainable, relevant, trackable) goals is critical for a great start, as is having support available along the journey. This is true for both adults and kids, and if your child has New Year's resolutions they're working on, you are likely their main source of support.
Researchers say it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit, with widely varying results based on the particular habit being formed. For example, it may be easier to drink a glass of water every morning than it is to run a mile every morning. Children (and most adults) don't have the focus to attack a new habit for that long without support. Keep reminding your kids to keep at it and use these tips to help them stay on track with their goals.
Get Creative
1 of 18
By February, and often before that, goals are get annoying. If it's eating more vegetables, reading more or keeping their room clean, kids may decide these goals aren't as important as they were a month ago and lose focus. You can help renew their interest by trying new veggies, reading with your child or making picking up a bedroom a quick and easy game. Varied routines can add life into the chore of building good habits.
Lead by Example
2 of 18
I'm ripping off the Band-Aid and starting with the most difficult suggestion on this list. Every parent knows their behaviors and habits have a huge impact on their kids' choices, so whatever goal your kid sets is probably also going to be your goal—whether you planned it or not.
That is, if they plan to be more organized, you're going to need to be more organized. If your child plans on performing more kind deeds this year, you're going to need to be on the lookout for opportunities to put this into practice—and you're also most likely helping pull off these acts kindness. If your kiddo wants to learn Spanish, guess who else will be hablando espanol?
Expect Setbacks
3 of 18
Adults often fall into the trap of thinking if they drop the ball on a goal, they can't pick it up again. Kids will do the same. It doesn't need to be January 1 to begin a journey. It can also happen on February 9, and it may even be more successful if the goals are tweaked to be SMARTer. Kids need guidance in setting realistic goals, so lack of success should be looked at not as a failure, but as an opportunity to reset the objective—and you can gently lead them in the right direction.
Look to the Future
4 of 18
When kids are tired of focusing on a goal, remind them of the end objective. For example, when my fourth grader doesn't want to practice his trombone, I remind him that if he sticks with it, he'll soon be able to play the Star Wars theme song. That always motivates him to get in those 30 minutes of practice.
Reward Effort
5 of 18
Achieving goals is cause for celebration, but so is putting in the work to get there. Don't be afraid to sweeten the pot for your kids the longer they keep the resolution going—rewards are always a good motivator. When you see your child making an effort to work on their goals, let them know you are proud of them.
Verbal recognition is fantastic, and a small treat is great, too. If the goal is focused on healthy eating, you can reward your child by letting them pick their favorite well-balanced meal for dinner. If the goal is to read more, a new book would be a perfect treat. Tracking charts work well for some kids and small candy rewards work well for others. Find what works for your child and your family, and stick to it.
Lead by Example
7 of 18
I'm ripping off the Band-Aid and starting with the most difficult suggestion on this list. Every parent knows their behaviors and habits have a huge impact on their kids' choices, so whatever goal your kid sets is probably also going to be your goal—whether you planned it or not.
That is, if they plan to be more organized, you're going to need to be more organized. If your child plans on performing more kind deeds this year, you're going to need to be on the lookout for opportunities to put this into practice—and you're also most likely helping pull off these acts kindness. If your kiddo wants to learn Spanish, guess who else will be hablando espanol?
Get Creative
8 of 18
By February, and often before that, goals are get annoying. If it's eating more vegetables, reading more or keeping their room clean, kids may decide these goals aren't as important as they were a month ago and lose focus. You can help renew their interest by trying new veggies, reading with your child or making picking up a bedroom a quick and easy game. Varied routines can add life into the chore of building good habits.
Expect Setbacks
9 of 18
Adults often fall into the trap of thinking if they drop the ball on a goal, they can't pick it up again. Kids will do the same. It doesn't need to be January 1 to begin a journey. It can also happen on February 9, and it may even be more successful if the goals are tweaked to be SMARTer. Kids need guidance in setting realistic goals, so lack of success should be looked at not as a failure, but as an opportunity to reset the objective—and you can gently lead them in the right direction.
Look to the Future
10 of 18
When kids are tired of focusing on a goal, remind them of the end objective. For example, when my fourth grader doesn't want to practice his trombone, I remind him that if he sticks with it, he'll soon be able to play the Star Wars theme song. That always motivates him to get in those 30 minutes of practice.
Reward Effort
11 of 18
Achieving goals is cause for celebration, but so is putting in the work to get there. Don't be afraid to sweeten the pot for your kids the longer they keep the resolution going—rewards are always a good motivator. When you see your child making an effort to work on their goals, let them know you are proud of them.
Verbal recognition is fantastic, and a small treat is great, too. If the goal is focused on healthy eating, you can reward your child by letting them pick their favorite well-balanced meal for dinner. If the goal is to read more, a new book would be a perfect treat. Tracking charts work well for some kids and small candy rewards work well for others. Find what works for your child and your family, and stick to it.
Lead by Example
13 of 18
I'm ripping off the Band-Aid and starting with the most difficult suggestion on this list. Every parent knows their behaviors and habits have a huge impact on their kids' choices, so whatever goal your kid sets is probably also going to be your goal—whether you planned it or not.
That is, if they plan to be more organized, you're going to need to be more organized. If your child plans on performing more kind deeds this year, you're going to need to be on the lookout for opportunities to put this into practice—and you're also most likely helping pull off these acts kindness. If your kiddo wants to learn Spanish, guess who else will be hablando espanol?
Get Creative
14 of 18
By February, and often before that, goals are get annoying. If it's eating more vegetables, reading more or keeping their room clean, kids may decide these goals aren't as important as they were a month ago and lose focus. You can help renew their interest by trying new veggies, reading with your child or making picking up a bedroom a quick and easy game. Varied routines can add life into the chore of building good habits.
Expect Setbacks
15 of 18
Adults often fall into the trap of thinking if they drop the ball on a goal, they can't pick it up again. Kids will do the same. It doesn't need to be January 1 to begin a journey. It can also happen on February 9, and it may even be more successful if the goals are tweaked to be SMARTer. Kids need guidance in setting realistic goals, so lack of success should be looked at not as a failure, but as an opportunity to reset the objective—and you can gently lead them in the right direction.
Look to the Future
16 of 18
When kids are tired of focusing on a goal, remind them of the end objective. For example, when my fourth grader doesn't want to practice his trombone, I remind him that if he sticks with it, he'll soon be able to play the Star Wars theme song. That always motivates him to get in those 30 minutes of practice.
Reward Effort
17 of 18
Achieving goals is cause for celebration, but so is putting in the work to get there. Don't be afraid to sweeten the pot for your kids the longer they keep the resolution going—rewards are always a good motivator. When you see your child making an effort to work on their goals, let them know you are proud of them.
Verbal recognition is fantastic, and a small treat is great, too. If the goal is focused on healthy eating, you can reward your child by letting them pick their favorite well-balanced meal for dinner. If the goal is to read more, a new book would be a perfect treat. Tracking charts work well for some kids and small candy rewards work well for others. Find what works for your child and your family, and stick to it.
Discuss This Article