Helping your child make New Years Resolutions

It's a lovely idea to do with the kids

The New Year is a time to put aside the last year and get yourself pumped up for the next 12 months on the right foot. Kids don’t usually think about resolutions, but it is a good idea to encourage them to be a good sport and think up a new way to be a better person. Here are a few ways you can help your child along the way…
  • Jot down ideas- Get your kids together and jot down a few ideas that you or they think they could do with starting afresh with. Perhaps, they could walk the dog more, clean their room or give up a bad habit. There are loads of things they could do or give up. It is a tough one, but resolutions are never easy. 
  • Do it together- If you want your child to give up something or take on a new task they should feel that everyone else is taking part too. Maybe, you have a bad habit too? Or your partner could do with changing a few things. If everyone plays a role it will be better, and more people are likely to be succesful.  
  • Be a good role model- Once you start a new resolution you should be a good role model and don’t give up or stop your resolution because it is hard. Teach your child that a little dedication goes a long way, and this will steer them on the right path too. 
  • Be realistic about their resolution- Avoid taking on new resolutions that will never be kept. Children are children after all and they need to be silly but if a resolution is too hard they will never keep it and therefore, there is no point. 
  • Write them down- Make a list of the kids and pop a resolution next to their name. Pin it to the fridge or notice board to act as a reminder to their new resolutions. That way there can be no going back!
  • Guide them along the way- If their resolution is hard, help your kid and be happy to guide them along the way. If they chose to clean their room each week that is a good resolution, but it doesn’t mean your child will be able to manage that! They may have a bad week and need some help if they have had friends over who wrecked their room while playing! 
  • Accept it still may never work- Resolutions are great but most people if not all will drop their resolution within a month. Realistically they are a way to get people motivated for a new year, but it doesn’t stick for most. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it with the kids though and you should. 
  • Look to the future- As much as is said about the resolutions let’s not forget that it is a new year, and anything is possible. Instil a new attitude together and encourage the kids to want to do well for the months ahead. 

Written by Emma Hayes, staff writer at Family Friendly HQ

Emma Hayes

Emma Hayes is a busy mum to two girls aged 17 and 11 and is married to her childhood sweetheart.

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