FUN & Effective New Year’s Resolutions List for YOUR Kids. Here’s How

Hey there harried mama! How would you like it if I told you there’s a way to subtly manipulate the kiddos into doing what you want them to do all year round?

Okay, that may have sounded a little hype-y but I do know of a fun way to remind your kids of what actions they should focus on.

Have them make their own New Year’s resolutions (aka Mommy’s devious way to get them kids to follow).

Whether you have pre-schoolers or school-age kids, here are tips on how to…

Create an Effective New Year’s Resolutions List for the Kiddos

1. Explain what the list signifies

By taking stock of past behavior and zooming in on positive ones, your kids can become better versions of themselves.

Suggest resolutions such as: I will listen to Mommy and Daddy more, I will share my toys with my siblings, I will get-up immediately when Mommy wakes me in the morning, I will eat more vegetables, etc. After suggesting, have them come up with their own.

Your children can learn a great deal from this exercise. First, to reflect on how they can improve on themselves and second, they are capable of (positive) change.

These are important traits that will be useful in their adult life. And remember, the exercise isn’t restricted to the New Year as it can be done at any time of the year.

2. Use drawings or pictures to create the list

This is more suited for pre-schoolers who have just learned to write – but even school-age kids can benefit from the visuals.

Thank goodness for free images online: you have a vast supply of photos to choose from. Print and paste them on your children’s New Year’s resolution list.

Here are a few examples:

I will try to share my toys with my baby brother

I will try to help Mommy clean more often

I will try to drink 3 glasses of milk everyday because it’s good for my health

 3. Choose 5 – 10 achievable goals using the following areas:

• Food (more veggies and fruits)
• Cleanliness (no more eating bugs)
• Life Skills (saying thank you)
• Behavior (less shouting )
• Discipline (sleeping early at night)

You can add more categories if you wish or focus on one, two or more areas. The list is up to you and your children but I do suggest you gently guide them to do your bidding (sinister laugh).

4. Let them doodle and color the list once it’s done

This is the fun part. Let your little Picassos do some fancy shmancy art magic on their list.

5. Post it somewhere your children can see

Whether it’s on fridge or wall doesn’t matter. What does is that your children have access to the list for easy reference.

This comes in handy when your children refuse to clean up the mess they made. You can always point to the list and remind them what they promised to try to do.

Don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions?

Some parents shun the idea of creating lists at the start of the year. If you are one, think of this as an effective way to get your children to do what they should be doing: following you.

What do you think about this idea? Would you try it with your children?

Photos: Creative Commons
List – the Italian voice
Kids cleaning – emrank
Drinking milk – oddharmonic