‘Tis the season to be jolly!
Its Christmas! And then before you know it, it will be time to usher in the new year. It is that time of the year, when parents tend to capitalize on Mr. Santa Claus’ supposed gift-giving condition of “have you been a good little child?” to keep their kids in line. (Well, this bribe works on the little ones at best.) It is that time of the year when candies and cookies and rum cakes and pies get stocked up in the kitchens and the kids seem to be on a perpetual sugar rush – excited at the prospects of holidays and gifts and of course, yummy treats!
However, for many of us grown-ups, the month of December becomes a month of “reflection” and “rumination”. A year is coming to an end. We tend to sit back and look at the year that has gone. We think of things that went well, and those that didn’t. We think of things that we can try and do better.
And then some of us… make resolutions!
Well, I know resolutions are not everyone’s idea of motivation or driving factors. But I personally feel that they at least make you think (and thereby pinpoint) as to what you wish to achieve – personally or professionally. I am also aware that most gym memberships are taken in the month of January and then either surrendered or forgotten by February; meaning we quickly lose track of our resolutions. However, they we cannot deny that they act as a catalyst and give us that initial boost. Some resolutions fizzle away. Some are strong enough to be achieved.
Now why am I talking resolutions on a blog meant for parents? Because I genuinely feel, that it is just as (if not more) important for young children to make year-end resolutions as it is for adults! And as parents, we can encourage them to make good resolutions, help them figure out what they should be, and then motivate them to achieve them!
Let’s first talk about why, clichéd as it may sound, making resolutions with your kids– whether Christmas resolutions or year-end ones, is a good idea!
- Childhood is a great time to form good habits. We realise as we grow older that it is harder to get out of our bad habits. However, kids have a greater tenacity and moulding capacity, and their habits are not yet firmly set. So, any new healthy habits can be set, and any old unhealthy habits can be slowly shaved off!
- Learning to set goals. At work we have the annual ritual of setting goals with our managers. It gives us direction. It gives us something to work for and it also gives us a review yard. Similarly, kids can also benefit from learning how to set goals and make resolutions. It gives them focus areas. It also helps the parents to understand what their child’s wishes and aims are.
- Setting resolutions makes kids strive harder. This generation of kids gets most of their things handed to them on a platter. They hardly have to go through any huge endeavour to get the branded toys or fancy stationery they want. However, by setting goals, it gives them that driving factor to achieve something or make someone (and themselves) proud! The motivation to achieve their resolutions also gives children the strength to face challenges.
- Children get introduced to getting results patiently and gradually in contrast to instant gratification. As parents, we have daily negotiations with our kids – If you do this, you will get that. Or, if you stop doing this, I will let you do that. However, not all transactions in life happen this way instantaneously. And resolutions, being mostly long term in nature, help them to develop the patience and persistence to strive for something over a longer period of time.
So, what is the best way in which your children can set these resolutions? Here are some tips and tricks to ease the process and make the most of it!
- Set resolutions as a family: Not only does it turn out to be a great bonding exercise and an annual ritual for your family, but you will also end up learning a lot more about each other! Moreover, you can motivate each other through the year to achieve goals.
- Guide the children into making resolutions that are high expectation, yet achievable and realistic:
For little ones who are not yet mature enough to understand how to make resolutions, parental intervention and help can prevent them from too lofty a resolution (I want to have 100 friends next year) or too unrealistic (Next year I want to be as tall and strong as daddy). Sometimes, kids tend to get disheartened if they’re resolutions are not met, even though they are unreasonable. So parents have to make sure that they don’t exactly rubbish all of the kids’ ideas as being silly, but at the same time keep them realistic.
- Make the resolutions about positivity rather than curtailment and depravation:
Children are less likely to feel good about making resolutions such as “This year no sweets on weekdays” or “No extra TV time on school days”. Rather, make them as positive as possible such as “This year we will eat healthier through the week. Weekends can be fun days where we can eat treats!”
- Walk the talk: Children are watching us at all times and they take inspiration from us. Try and strive to stick to your resolutions so that it will give encourage your children to do the same.
- Review, Reward, Re-assess: It’s difficult keeping track of resolutions, especially the long-term ones! Help your kids to track their progress with the help of star charts or goal stickers. Time and again assess the resolutions they have set, and be flexible enough to tweak them if your children feel better doing so. Also, don’t forget to reward them once they achieve their special milestones!
I always joke that I do make resolutions, but all my resolutions start with the disclaimer “If time and situation permits, I will try to…..” But this year, I plan to think differently. I wish for my daughter to be someone who strives to get what she wants. I want her to grow up knowing what is good for her and also knowing what she needs to do to achieve it. And most importantly, I wish for my little one to be always filled with hope and excitement about the future. And so this year, my husband and I will be sitting down with her and listing out our resolutions for 2024. I hope you do the same with your children as well!
Happy Holidays Folks!
← Go back
