Teach Kids How to Make New Year's Resolutions, Here's How!

Every time the year comes to a close, billions of people worldwide hope that the coming new year will be better than the last one. That is precisely the reason why people make New Year's resolutions — to start the year with a clean slate and do things better!

One in every four Americans makes New Year's resolutions annually. It's a tradition embedded in our culture, and countless families join in this beautiful activity.

Making resolutions for the year is not only an adult's affair but can also be rewarding for children. That's why it's best to teach kids how to make New Year's resolutions so they can set goals and have targets as the new year commences.

What is the Importance of Kids Making New Year's Resolution?

Experts believe that making New Year's resolutions is ideal for children between the ages of 7 and 12. Habits at this age are not yet firm, so redirecting kids' actions towards more productive matters is highly feasible.

Teaching kids how to make New Year's resolutions sets them up to be their best selves. Through targeting achievable goals, resolutions become an avenue for growth and change as kids develop their sense of responsibility.

Moreover, making resolutions with kids is an excellent family bonding activity. By letting your children join in the process, you trust that they're mature enough, which boosts their self-esteem. Plus, you get to provide guidance and support to keep them in touch with their goals.

So how exactly do we make New Year's resolution with our kids? Below, you'll see how we do it in our family, and you can do the same with yours!

How to Make New Year's Resolution for Kids

1. Make it A Fun, Family Tradition

Children have no idea what resolutions are unless you teach them. And, the best way to motivate kids to go along with the plan is when the family does it together.

You don't tell them what New Year's resolution is and expect them to make one immediately after. Children need role models who practice the same tradition before they comply.

It's important to understand that resolutions are best made with accountability partners. In our case, the family should be all-for-one and one-for-all in keeping up with the goals.

Here's what we do:

We set a specific time and date within December dedicated to making New Year's resolutions. Then, whenever the last Sunday of the year at 6 p.m. arrives, you can find us all gathered at the kitchen table, ready for our resolution day. This way, we all have a family tradition to look forward to, and we set our goals in each other's presence.

When you make your New Year's resolution a family activity, you eliminate whatever reason anyone has to not join in. As a result, everyone becomes responsible and accountable for each family member.

2. Celebrate Last Year's Accomplishments

The goal of making a New Year's resolution for kids is to let them compare and contrast how they performed this year vs. their plans for the next one.

Every year is not always all bad. So ask your children what feats they've had this year or any accomplishments they're proud of. Doing this helps build their confidence and assures them that they're making good progress, after all.

Here are examples of questions I ask my children:

What achievements have you accomplished this year? (awards, honors, trophies, grants, if any)
What are the positive lifestyle changes you've implemented this year?
What are things you're grateful for this year?
Are there any other accomplishments you're proud of?
Was this a good year or a bad year for you? (Ask them to give a brief explanation why)
Are there any actionable steps you can take to make next year better than this one?

The final question will define our next step in teaching kids how to make New Year's resolutions. It will also be the foundation of their goals for the upcoming year.

3. Ponder on What Improvements They Can Do

Understanding that no year is perfect is the principal driver that pushes children (or anyone for that matter!) to make New Year's resolutions.

If you know that they've had a not-so-good year, sympathize with them by also disclosing some of the failures you've also had previously. Explain that failing is normal and it's nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary, losses motivate us to strive and set new goals.

In doing this, you assure your kids that you're all in this together. As a result, they feel motivated knowing that they have a family that supports them throughout.

Think of broad improvements that all of you can make for a fresh start this new year.

For example:

You can say you'll try to lose weight and visit the gym more often. In contrast, your kids can say they would be more invested in their studies or be more responsible with their chores.

Whatever it is, make sure to target broad or general goals first. Then, list down at least 5 for each.

4. Identify SMART and Actionable Goals

It's impossible to pursue goals that are too general. That's why in this portion, you must all break down your goals into smaller chunks of applications.

The reason why following through with goals is difficult is because they're not SMART, which stands for:

S = Specific (should be well-defined and clear)

M = Measurable (there is a criterion to measure the progress)

A = Attainable (possible to achievable)

R = Realistic (within reach and relevant to your lives)

T = Time-bound (has a well-defined time limit, start to end)

Once your kids have set broad goals, guide them in dividing the targets into smaller SMART goals. Doing so will help them define the specific steps they need to take to realize their targets.

Here is an example:

Broad Goal: I will be more diligent in doing my household chores.

SMART Goal:

I will wake up at 8 a.m. every morning whether there's school or not
First thing in the morning, I will fix my sheets and make my bed before I have breakfast
I will immediately answer my homework when I arrive from school, from 4-5 p.m
I will shower and brush my teeth from 8:30 p.m. and be in my bed by 9 p.m.

Achieving their goals becomes more manageable when your kids clearly define the guidelines to follow.

However, make sure to keep their resolutions at the appropriate levels. There are different resolutions suited for different ages.

For example, if your middle schooler aims to be more diligent in their chores, don't ask them to cook dinner every night (unless they know how and if you will supervise the cooking process).

Always abide by the resolutions appropriate for their age!

Aside from that, make sure to let your children take the lead on their SMART resolutions. Trust that they know which improvements they need to implement in their lives.

You may mention your suggestions during the meeting, but don't dictate them. Give your kids the freedom to assess and weigh which goals are feasible. If they seek your help for their resolutions, give some examples of the resolution you want them to consider.

5. Serve as Resolution Role Models

Dr. Christine Carter gave a clear message about demanding children to abide by their resolutions: "Let's not ask them to do more than we are willing to do."

Kids look up to their parents and follow the example of the latter. If you want your kids to be consistent in following through with their resolutions, they must first see your dedication.

As mentioned above, the resolutions day meeting should be a safe place to let your family members know your resolutions. Consider everyone as an accountability partner who will support you in achieving your goals and the same people you will remind if you also notice them staggering in following through with their resolutions.

It's easier to set an example if your kids also know your plans. That is why discussing it during resolution day is necessary.

The more committed they see you perform with your resolution, the more dedicated they also become!

6. Follow-up but Don't Nag Them About it

During the new year, there is an initial period where everyone is still fully motivated to do their resolutions. However, this dedication often declines after a few months, maybe even weeks.

The secret to maintaining everybody's adherence to their goals is happiness.

Happiness is the most crucial factor that keeps people motivated to pursue their goals. So when your kids are struggling in keeping with their targets, don't nag them.

They simply need guidance and reminders, so do it optimistically. Say they feel discouraged, you may begin by reminding the successes they've had so far and letting them see how far they've gotten. Then, instead of focusing on shortcomings, place their attention on the brighter side of things.

Don't be preachy nor punishing, and watch your tone. Otherwise, they'll be discouraged from making resolutions ever again.

Another technique is to insert some anecdotes from my resolutions into casual conversations. Whenever there are opportunities to mention your goals, please do it.

For example:

If your goal is to go to bed early, you may say, "I'd like to stay up all night and watch movies, but my resolution for this year is to have an adequate amount of sleep. So far I'm making good progress, so I don't want to compromise that."

The aim here is to reinforce the behavior positively. Avoid making your kids feel bad about failing. Otherwise, all you'll get are grumpy children that get triggered whenever they hear the words "New Year's resolutions."

Have Fun Making Your Resolutions!

Teachings kids how to make New Year's resolutions goes further beyond the paper where they wrote their goals. You're teaching them critical goal-setting mindsets, resilience against counter-productive urges, and dedication to stick to their plans.

There are countless ways to make resolutions for the new year. But doing it with the family is always the best choice. Not only do you get to bond, but you also encourage every member to be the best version of themselves as the new year starts.

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