How to Help with Kids New Year’s Resolutions They’ll Stick To
The New Year is a time for fresh starts and big dreams—a moment when families come together to reflect on the past and look ahead with hope. For parents navigating the joys and challenges of raising children, the holiday season is the perfect opportunity to introduce the concept of Kids New Year’s Resolutions.
Whether you’re a busy parent balancing the chaos of family life or a caregiver trying to instil valuable life lessons, helping kids set and achieve goals can foster growth, responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.
Resolutions aren’t just for adults; they’re an excellent tool for kids to learn the importance of self-discipline, perseverance, and personal development. From helping pre-teens like Hayden (aged 12) tackle new challenges to encouraging younger kids like Hudson (aged 7) to adopt healthy habits, guiding them through the resolution process can be a rewarding experience for the entire family.
Let’s explore how to make this tradition meaningful and age-appropriate while creating lasting memories.
Why Are New Year’s Resolutions Important for Kids?
Setting resolutions allows kids to practice responsibility, develop self-confidence, and learn how to set realistic goals. For pre-teens like Hayden, it’s an exercise in self-discipline and growth. For younger kids like Hudson, it introduces the concept of goal-setting in a fun and engaging way.
Children who succeed in their resolutions gain a sense of achievement that boosts their self-esteem. Plus, it’s a great bonding activity for the family.
Step 1: Make Resolutions Age-Appropriate
The key to successful Kids New Year’s Resolutions is ensuring the goals match their age and developmental stage.
For Pre-Teens (Like Hayden):
- Examples:
- “I will limit my screen time to two hours a day.”
- “I’ll start saving $10 a week for something I want.”
- “I’ll join a new school club or try a sport I’ve never played.”
These resolutions challenge pre-teens to develop self-control and explore their interests while remaining achievable.
For Younger Kids (Like Hudson):
- Examples:
- “I will help clear my toys away every evening before bed.”
- “I’ll try one new vegetable each week.”
- “I’ll read one storybook every day with Mom or Dad.”
For younger children, keep resolutions playful and easy to understand.
Step 2: Start with Family Brainstorming
Sit down as a family to discuss goals. Use this opportunity to teach kids the difference between vague ideas and actionable goals. For example:
- Instead of “I’ll be better at math,” Hayden could say, “I’ll spend 20 minutes each day practising math problems.”
- Instead of “I’ll be good,” Hudson might say, “I’ll use kind words when talking to my friends.”
Make it a fun activity by providing colourful markers and paper for them to write down their resolutions.
Step 3: Focus on SMART Goals
Teach kids the SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Example for Hayden:
“I’ll finish reading three books by March 31.”
- Specific: Finish three books.
- Measurable: Track books read.
- Achievable: One book a month is realistic.
- Relevant: Hayden loves fantasy novels.
- Time-bound: Set to three months.
Example for Hudson:
“I’ll eat one green vegetable with dinner every day this week.”
- Specific: Eat green veggies.
- Measurable: Check off each meal.
- Achievable: A short timeframe works for younger kids.
- Relevant: Encourages healthy eating habits.
- Time-bound: One week to focus.
Step 4: Break Resolutions into Small Steps
Big goals can feel overwhelming. Help kids break them into manageable steps.
- Hayden’s Resolution: Save £120 by summer for a new bike.
- Step 1: Save £10 each week.
- Step 2: Track progress in a savings journal.
- Hudson’s Resolution: Keep toys organized.
- Step 1: Sort toys into bins by category.
- Step 2: Put away one category daily.
Step 5: Encourage Accountability
Accountability keeps kids on track. Here are fun ways to make it work:
- Hayden: Use a calendar or app to track progress. Discuss the progress weekly.
- Hudson: Create a sticker chart where each task completed earns a sticker.
Celebrate small wins to keep their motivation high.
Step 6: Be a Role Model
Kids often emulate their parents. Share your resolutions and discuss how you’re working on them. For example:
- “I’m resolving to drink more water daily. I’ll track it with you!”
This reinforces that resolutions aren’t just for kids and it’s a team effort.
Step 7: Emphasize the Fun Factor
Keep the process enjoyable! Turn challenges into games or competitions.
- Hayden’s Screen Time Challenge: Compete as a family to see who can stay off screens the longest during dinner.
- Hudson’s Veggie Goal: Use fun names for vegetables like “super broccoli trees” or “rocket carrots.”
The more engaging the process, the more likely they will stick with it.
Step 8: Review and Adjust as Needed
Life happens, and kids might struggle to meet some goals. Sit down regularly to review progress and tweak resolutions if necessary.
For Hayden: “You’re doing great saving money! Should we raise the weekly goal to $15?”
For Hudson: “You’ve been doing awesome with veggies! Want to add fruits to your goal too?”
21 Resolutions That Inspire Growth
Here are additional ideas to inspire your child’s Kids New Year’s Resolutions:
For Pre-Teens:
- Volunteer one hour weekly.
- Master a new hobby like painting or coding.
- Keep a daily gratitude journal.
- Learn to cook one meal independently each month.
- Start a fitness routine like jogging or yoga twice a week.
- Organize their room or study area weekly.
- Limit sugary snacks to weekends only.
- Write and mail letters to a distant family member monthly.
- Donate unused clothes or toys to charity.
- Read a book outside of school assignments every month.
- Create a vision board for the year ahead.
- Learn a musical instrument or improve current skills.
- Reduce single-use plastics by bringing reusable water bottles or lunch containers.
- Plan a family game night once a month.
- Practice mindfulness or meditation for 5 minutes daily.
- Commit to doing one random act of kindness weekly.
- Save 20% of their allowance for future goals.
- Plant a small garden or care for a houseplant.
- Take responsibility for a household chore regularly.
- Explore a new outdoor activity, like hiking or kayaking.
- Join a community program or volunteer group that aligns with their interests.
For Younger Kids:
- Play outside for 20 minutes every day.
- Say “thank you” to someone daily.
- Brush their teeth without being reminded twice a day.
- Practice tying their shoelaces until they master it.
- Draw a picture for a friend or family member each week.
- Help set the table for meals daily.
- Try a new fruit or vegetable every week.
- Play a board game with family every weekend.
- Sing or recite a nursery rhyme for the family at dinner.
- Feed the family pet with supervision every morning.
- Practice sharing toys with siblings or friends during playtime.
- Learn to say “please” and “thank you” consistently.
- Wash their hands before and after meals without reminders.
- Create a simple bedtime routine they can follow.
- Participate in a weekly family walk or exercise session.
- Each week, build something creative, like a Lego tower or craft project.
- Keep their backpack and school supplies organized.
- Spend 15 minutes daily on colouring or a similar quiet activity.
- Help carry groceries into the house.
- Practice counting or alphabet skills with flashcards daily.
- Create a “kindness jar” and add a daily good deed slip.
Before You Go
Helping your children set and stick to their Kids New Year’s Resolutions is more than just a fun family tradition—it’s an opportunity to teach them essential life skills like goal-setting, perseverance, and self-reflection. Whether you’re working with pre-teens like Hayden, who are ready to tackle ambitious goals, or younger kids like Hudson, who are just beginning to understand responsibility, the key lies in making the process engaging, supportive, and age-appropriate.
As a parent, your role is pivotal in guiding your child’s journey. By breaking goals into manageable steps, celebrating their successes, and being patient through setbacks, you’re fostering resilience and a growth mindset that will serve them for years. Don’t forget to lead by example; when kids see their parents setting and achieving goals, it reinforces the importance of staying committed.
This year, make New Year’s resolutions a family affair. You can create lasting habits, strengthen your bond, and start the new year with purpose and positivity. Who knows? Your family might remember this year when small resolutions turned into significant achievements. Now, that’s a resolution worth keeping!
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