The New Year is always a time of reflection and goal setting in my household. As a mother of three, I’ve found that involving children in the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions is not just fun—it’s an opportunity to instill important life lessons. Now that my kids are a bit older, I can look back on how this tradition helped shape their independence and resilience.
Why Make New Year’s Resolutions with Your Children?
When my kids were younger, making resolutions together became a cherished tradition. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about growth, learning, and spending meaningful time as a family. These resolutions taught them:
- Goal Setting: They learned how to think about what they wanted to achieve and make a plan.
- Responsibility: They started understanding how their choices impacted their goals.
- Resilience: They discovered how to keep going, even when things didn’t go as planned.
- Self-awareness: It was a chance to reflect on their strengths and where they could improve.
How to Create Resolutions by Age Group
Tailoring the process to your child’s age and stage makes all the difference. Here are some approaches I used with my kids at various stages:
Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)
When my kids were very young, their resolutions were action oriented. They should be simple and fun.
- Example: “I will put my toys away after playing.”
- Tip: Keep it playful and use visual reminders like stickers or charts—they love seeing their progress!
Elementary School Children (Ages 6-10)
In this stage, resolutions became slightly more ambitious. They should build on their growth and sense of independence.
- Example: “I will read a book for 10 minutes every night before bed.”
- Tip: Make it collaborative. Sit down as a family and brainstorm ideas.
Tweens and Teens (Ages 11-18)
By the time they were teens, my kids started setting goals that aligned with their personal interests. These goals may be more abstract or long-term. Their resolutions might focus on personal development, academics, or social relationships.
- Example: “I will practice my guitar three times a week” or “I will spend less time on social media during school nights.”
- Tip: Let them take ownership. Teens respond well to autonomy and respect.
Tips for Success
- Model the Behavior: I always shared my own resolutions with my kids—it showed them I was learning and growing too.
- Make it Positive: Instead of “no more messy rooms,” we would say, “I will tidy up my room every Saturday.”
- Celebrate Progress: A family dinner to celebrate milestones kept everyone motivated.
- Be Flexible: Goals can evolve, and that is okay. It’s all part of the process.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I am grateful we made resolutions a part of our family life. Now, as young adults, my children still carry the skills they learned—goal setting, perseverance, and reflection—into their own lives.
If you have not tried making New Year’s resolutions with your children, give it a go this year. It might just become one of your favorite traditions, as it did for my family.
Here’s to a wonderful New Year filled with growth, learning, and shared moments!
Dr. Cockrell grew up in nearby Natchitoches, LA. She graduated magna cum laude from Northwestern State University with a BS in Biology before pursuing her medical education at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. In 2004, she proudly earned her medical degree and was honored with membership in the esteemed Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. After completing her medical residency training at LSUHSC while raising her young family, Dr. Cockrell made Shreveport her home. Since 2007, she has been a valued member of Mid City Pediatrics, certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
