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RESOLUTIONS ARE GOOD FOR KIDS
Every New Year's Eve, I write a list of
resolutions. Some are practical (volunteer
more), while others are a bit of a stretch
(write a best selling novel) These promises
to myself run the gamut -- from physical
to mental, possible to improbable -- but
all have one thing in common: New
Year's resolutions are, a triumph of hope
over experience. They're a way to quantify
what we wish for ourselves. They are a
means to cataloguing our personal dissatisfactions.
And, perhaps most
importantly, they serve as a personal road
map of goals for the next 12 months. Yes,
New Year's resolutions are all about
hopefulness in achieving a goal. And it's
always been that way.
After a bit of research , ok a lot of research,
turns out, setting goals on New Years Eve
isn't a modern tradition at all. Some 4,000
years ago, Babylonians rang in their new
year with an 11-day festival, in which they
made promises to the gods in hopes they
would earn good favor in the coming
year. It was a traditional time to celebrate
a new beginning.
For many of us, the New Year means it’s
time to take stock of our lives and fix what
we don’t like. Whether it’s our diet,
exercise routine or tendency to
procrastinate, there is always room for
improvement in the coming year. 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.
Most school age youth are old enough to
think about what a resolution is and to
make their own. They are still young
enough that their habits are not firm,so
parents can still help guide them through
the process of setting a goal and working
towards achieving it. They're beginning
to be mindful and to understand others'
perspectives. They're doing more
independently, and they're starting to
open up to broader goals of how to
become their best selves.
Making resolutions with your children
can be fun and exciting, a time for growth
and change, and an opportunity for
family bonding. Read our tips on how to
make New Year's resolutions a positive
experience for kids and to help them
keep in touch with their goals all year
long.
HAPPY
NEW
YEAR
1Be A Role Model
As parents, it's important to practice what
you preach. You have to walk the walk
and talk the talk to be most effective.
Bring your own resolutions to the kitchen
table. Kids look to you to learn how to
approach new things. Its a great way to
start a family discussion and build
wonderful at home support systems that
our youth can be significantly involved in.
in.Mommy is going to make exercise her