I know, I know.
After the year we just had, you dont want to make resolutions foryourselflet alone with your kids.
Its the same for kids.
If they resolve simply to listen better, theyll be tuning you out before the sun sets tonight.
Make it a family affair
Turn off the TV and gather around the dining room table.
Come armed with your own goal/resolution, along with the steps youll take throughout the year to meet it.
Ask your kids for any suggestions they have to help you meet your goal.
Then, ask them if they have a challenge theyd like to work on overcoming.
And then, listen.
Dont say, Thats not a good goal, [Kolari] says.
Be open to whats important to them.
Its a great way to have a meaningful conversation with your kids and see what theyre thinking.
If individual resolutions seem too daunting for your kids, you could also come up with a family resolution.
Talk about the time of day that is most challenging for your family.
Maybe transitioning from breakfast time into virtual work/school time has been a struggle every day.
Or maybe youve all found yourselves snapping at each other during the usual bedtime routine.
Identify a family challenge and talk about the steps each person can take to help ease the frustration.
They should be fairly simple and you should ease into them with baby steps.
Your child might actually end up doing much more than this.
Theres a massive spillover effect, she says.
Once people are engaged in their goal, they will do other things as well.
Post resolutions on the refrigerator or a family bulletin board and revisit them periodically throughout the year.
Its an opportunity to brainstorm how to adjust the goal or the baby steps for better success.
