New Year Resolutions with Kids

The time has come again to review the year that was and to look forward to the forthcoming year with high expectations. While the moments that we had lived give us some lessons about life, the new year gives us opportunities for ways to make the most out of our valuable time. In this process, let us include our kids and formulate New Year's resolutions.

Why Resolutions for New Year?

The resolutions for New Year help us to get a clear picture of areas where we need to get more structured and better. They help us to convert our mistakes into our accomplishments. It can be anything such as avoiding giving things to friends who forget to return them, forgoing the habit of procrastination, or starting a new habit. Alternatively, you can resolve to learn a new skill or visit a new place. 

Such promises help to plan your year, months as well as days accordingly and provide a better life experience. With this approach, kids would understand the concept of resolutions better and would be eager to create for themselves.

                                GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter Starter Set

How to make resolutions with kids?                          

Making resolutions for the first time can be tricky or awkward as not just kids, but adults may be confused about what they need to plan for. In such a scenario, the following points can be helpful-

- Ponder over the days gone by when things were not in your control due to your own habits or deeds. If you decide not to repeat the errors that happened in past then you need to make a promise to yourself about mending your ways.

- Time to work on your dreams, whether you thought of learning piano, becoming a badminton champion, or making lots of friends. Create steps to achieve the same.

                                         

- Develop a new habit that inculcates self-discipline such as cleaning the room, making their own bed, and having a routine of waking up and going to bed on time. 

Likewise, you can discuss these things with your children. Let them review some situations of their life when things were messed up (but without making them feel ill about themselves) which could have been avoided if they had the right approach or action at the right time. 

You can help them to derive a process that they need to follow in given situations to avoid creating a happier new year. 

Age-appropriate resolutions

Inspire your kiddo for creating her own new year's resolution.

The goals need to be age-appropriate. You may make only one resolution but it should be practical enough to follow. For example, 

New Year Resolution Ideas for preschoolers

- I will wash my hands after using the washroom.

- I will keep my toys back after playing.

- I will be nice and kind to animals

- I will try to eat foods of different colors.

New Year Resolution Ideas for age group 6 to 10 years

- I will ride my bike safely.

- I will deal with friends gently.

- I will return the belongings to their owner.

- I will go to bed on time.

- I will not bully other kids and inform my elders if someone bullies me.

New Year Resolutions for Preteens

- I will try to complete my school projects on time.

- I will try to help my friends.

- I will keep my room clean and tidy.

- I will talk to a family member if I have stress or an urgent situation to deal with.

- I will not indulge in smoking, drugs, or alcohol.

- I will use my phone only when required.

On the other hand, a fourteen-year-old can make a resolution to give justified time to his home assignments, his hobbies, his house chores, and his friends. Moreover, older children can note down their goals and break them down into smaller goals.

Remember, a long list of resolutions is difficult to follow. Therefore, stick to only a couple of promises and endeavor to follow them wholeheartedly.

Suggest Ideas for New Year Resolutions

Suggest, and not force your ideas on them. Let them think about what they want to accomplish, learn, or enjoy in the forthcoming year. Remind them of their successful efforts without highlighting their weaknesses. 

Guide them to think of what they can add to their personality or their efforts that would bring more joy or success or mindfulness in their life.

Related post- 7 Tips for Parents of Tweens and Preteens

Include Follow-ups and Gentle reminders

New habits and resolutions take time to develop and become part of life. Therefore, agree with the kids for a follow-up session on a weekly or monthly basis. Counsel them to be open to gentle reminders and discussions about their goals.

However, you need to be gentle and understanding in follow-ups, without being a nag all the time.

                                     Patpat‘s Design - Mosaic Brand

Parents as role models

Parents can discuss their resolutions with their kids and the ways in which they are going to follow them. They can also ask for help from their kids to stick to their promises. It will inspire their children to follow the same path easily and willingly.

Hope the above ideas help you to plan New Year Resolutions with kids effectively.

The New Year is about to arrive. So, are you all geared up to greet the new year with your new resolutions and a big smile? Let me know in the comment section... waiting:)

7 Steps to Raising a Bilingual Child