Help your child write their resolutions down and hang them up somewhere he or she will see them every day.
Credit: Colourbox
Hey, kids love a fresh start too. Help your kids start the year off on the right foot by helping them set their own goals for 2014. Here are three tips:
1. Let them come up with their own ideas.
It may be tempting to recommend a list of resolutions to your kids (“How about you put your toys away every day? What about no more fighting with your sister?”), but for your kids to actually get excited about their resolutions, they have to be theirs, not yours. Listen to your kids as they voice their resolutions aloud and help them weed out the ones that are totally unrealistic, helping them focus on ones that are actually achievable.
2. Make them concrete.
Studies show that the more specific a resolution is, the easier it is to keep. So if your child tells you he or she wants to get all As on their report card, help him or her create a specific plan on how to make it happen.
3. Be their biggest cheerleader.
When your child makes steps toward making their resolutions happen, tell him or her how proud you are. For bigger resolutions, consider setting up a rewards system.A little encouragement helps keeping them on track year round.
Follow Emily on Twitter: @EmLaurence
