A Guide to Setting Resolutions with your Children

As we have welcomed a brand new year, it's the perfect time to embark on an exciting journey of growth and self-discovery with your children. Setting New Year's resolutions together can be a wonderful bonding experience while instilling valuable life skills in your child. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create meaningful resolutions and let go of the past:

1. Start by creating a cosy atmosphere where your family can reflect on the past year. Share your proudest moments, challenges faced, and the lessons learned. This sets the stage for a positive and forward-thinking mindset. In preparation for next year, why not get an empty glass jar each, spend some time decorating it with stickers and permanent markers, and then, as good things happen throughout the year, write them down on a piece of paper and add them to the jar. On New Year's Eve this year, sit down together and read through all the good things that happened this year.

2. Encourage children to dream big but break down their aspirations into small, achievable steps. For example, if their goal is to read more, set a specific target, like finishing one book per month, and then break it down further into how many pages this would mean reading per day. This builds a sense of accomplishment and teaches them the power of perseverance. If children want to learn a new skill, such as drawing, plan regular drawing sessions and celebrate progress along the way. These small steps create a roadmap for success.

3. For children over eight years old, introduce the concept of letting go of the past. Have them reflect on any negative experiences or feelings from the previous year and write them down on a piece of paper. Take a family trip to a nearby beach or park, and let your children symbolically release these thoughts by burying the paper in the ground or throwing it into the sea.

4. Transform your children's resolutions into a visual representation. Gather magazines, scissors, and glue, and let them create a vision board with images and words representing their goals. Display these boards in a prominent place to serve as a constant reminder of their aspirations.

5. Schedule regular check-ins to discuss progress and make any necessary adjustments to the resolutions. This could be daily whilst sitting at the dinner table, or if this is not possible, schedule them at least monthly. This provides an opportunity for open communication and reinforces the importance of commitment and resilience.

6. Celebrate both small and big victories as a family. Acknowledge the effort put into reaching each milestone, and use these moments to inspire and motivate your child/children to keep moving forward.

7. Lastly, remember that you are your children's greatest role model. Share your own resolutions, challenges, and triumphs. This creates a supportive environment and teaches the value of continuous self-improvement.