Improving your family-team effort!

With the start of a new year, the topic on everyone's mind is New Year Resolutions!!!!

Many times people think of individual personal goals, but this year the 

#1 goal people are making is "spend more time with family."

With that being a common goal of many people, 

why not include your children in making goals as a family!

PBS had a great article that outlined goal making as a family. "We not only benefit from New Year's resolutions; our children can also learn a lot about self-discipline and the value of making goals."  Not only does goal setting teach valuable lessons to your child, but it's a great way to continue growing and making positive changes in your family. 

Make It a Family Activity

"Sit down each December and reflect on the past year, discussing your accomplishments and goals, as individuals and as a family. In your resolution conversation you can each talk about what worked this year and what didn't."  Depending on the ages of your children, each child could spend time before your family meeting thinking about things they enjoyed and things they might want to change.  Have your child write down two individual goals and two family goals.  Remember to keep it age appropriate, but it can be as simple as making your bed, saying thank you, or giving hugs to their siblings.  This way, the child feels that their input is valued and honored.   After every family member has had a time to think, have a family meeting and discuss individual and group goals.   This would be a great time to outline behaviors that need to be changed, positive habits that you would like to institute, or family activities or trip you'd like to that year.  After you've outlined goals as a family, make a chart and hang in up in your house so everyone remembers. 

Different Resolutions for Different Ages

What your child needs to work on depends on your child. If you are concerned about his diet, then encourage healthier eating habits for him as well as the whole family. If your daughter's room is a mess, try to help her commit 10 minutes a day to cleaning it. As your child ages, he can be more active in coming up with goals, which will mean more to him when he achieves them.

Serve as a Role Model

 "No matter what age your child is, he or she is more likely to understand the value of goal setting if you take the lead. Think of how you can include your child in your resolution. "I'm going to drink more water this year, because water is good for me. Do you want to join me?" If you are finding yourself checking your e-mail when you should be spending time as a family, consider incorporating that into a goal. "I'm going to turn off my phone when I get home. Can you remind me and also remember to keep your computer in your room until after dinnertime?"

Rewards Are Long Lasting

'Think of how you can include your child in your resolution. "I'm going to drink more water this year, because water is good for me. Do you want to join me?" If you are finding yourself checking your e-mail when you should be spending time as a family, consider incorporating that into a goal. "I'm going to turn off my phone when I get home. Can you remind me and also remember to keep your computer in your room until after dinnertime?"

 PBS article