Establishing Healthy New Year’s Resolutions for the Family

We do this every year: We make New Year’s resolutions and set goals to be our best selves for the next year. But how often do we stick to it? Don’t set yourself up for failure and instill some healthy expectations for your kids in the process.

Inspire the family to be kind to themselves and each other while still pursuing their best selves in the New Year. There are ways to set realistic, achievable and pride-worthy goals (and encourage the kids to do the same) with these honest and easy tips.

Do a Test Run

A good way to achieve goals early and motivate the family to do the same: Don’t set a grand goal for months at a time or the whole year right out of the gate. Depending on the goal you have in mind (and your participating family members), you can give it a try before fully committing. For those cutting out something specific or trying to break a particular habit, try it for two weeks and see how this new goal feels — it might not be the best for you.

Set Obtainable Timelines

This is another trap many fall into with New Year’s resolutions. Make a few goals and resolve to have one accomplished by spring or the end of March — break the year into sections and check in with each other. Setting a realistic goal timeline can be all the motivation you need to keep going. While the entire year can be daunting, if you and the kids break your goals up by season or every few months, you can feel the achievement (or pivot to correct) sooner, rather than letting the goal slip away before the end of the year.

Reward Yourselves

This is something every parent already knows: Rewards are everything. That, and bribing. For every restricting goal (lose weight, eat less sugar, cut out caffeine, etc.) give yourself something back, like plan a self-care night with the kids, go to a movie or do something you’ve been meaning to and haven’t had a reason to yet, like taking an art and wine class.

When you accomplish a few goals on each of your lists, like finishing those books you’ve been meaning to read, taking a walk every day for a month, becoming more politically aware or putting a little money away each week, reward yourself with something small, but meaningful, that doesn’t blow up your entire resolution list.