The holiday period is coming to an end and with that comes one final celebration- New Years. Many parents find themselves contemplating their own goals which usually entail their family to some degree, so why not involve them? Experts have shown that goals that are made as a family are often easier to reach. What’s more, it can be a great bonding experience as a whole and can teach children about self-discipline.  So get ready for 2017 by sharing the commitment to making family New Year’s resolutions and keeping them!

Simplify

The loftier the goal, the more challenging it is for anyone to succeed at accomplishing, let alone kids! Simple goals are very achievable, easy to integrate into a busy schedule, and straightforward. In addition, try to incorporate goals that require everyone in the family to be on board. A family unit working together will undoubtedly be more successful at maintaining the discipline required to set and achieve resolutions.

Having a hard time coming up with simplistic goals for the family to work together at? Try one of these:

  • Start a weekly ritual
  • Volunteer as a family
  • Exercise
  • Eat healthy
  • Clean together
  • Put down devices
  • Recycle

Include the kids

Sit down as a family and discuss what you would like to accomplish in the next year. To give the children an example, it may help for parents to go first.  Each resolution should be written down. If the kids are old enough, have them pen their own and assist the younger ones if necessary. This involvement will strengthen the commitment. Try to limit the number goals set so that it is more likely that they will be achieved.

Age Appropriate

Goals set for a family with preschool age children will differ from those set with grade school age children as the comprehension level varies. Responsibility can be hard to install at these early ages so this is where it helps to work together as a family and to keep goal setting simplistic.

Act As A Role Model
Do you remember that saying, “the children are always watching?” Regardless of age, the goal making process will be easier to understand if are you are modeling the desired behavior.

Celebrate

After all the hard work, make sure there is a reward in place that celebrates the effort. Another great tactic is to have the reward set at the time the goal is established, especially when dealing with children. Along the way, celebrate the successes, even if the full resolution is not achieved. This will make the goal setting process fun!

Goal setting in the form of New Year’s resolutions is a skill that your child can carry with them throughout their lifetime. It is also a great activity to do together as a family. Just remember, don’t get discouraged at minor setbacks- the art of goal setting takes time! Is finding your dream property one of your family’s goals that you would like to see reached in 2017? We can help you set and achieve that resolution!

Happy New Years!