As New Year’s approaches, many of us start thinking about resolutions, only to be reminded of the ones we didn’t quite follow through on last year. If that sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, according to Psychology Today, less than 10% of New Year’s resolutions are actually achieved. This isn’t just a matter of willpower—it's rooted in the science of habit formation. When we set resolutions, we’re essentially trying to make new, more desirable behaviours automatic, which can be far more challenging than it seems. The process of changing or creating habits takes time, patience, and a clear strategy, which is why many of us struggle to stick with our resolutions.

This same challenge can be true when helping our kids make their own resolutions, but the approach can be a lot more fun and meaningful when we frame it as a family effort.  For younger kids, the word resolution might not mean much, so it’s helpful to frame it in a way they can relate to. Instead of focusing on the term itself, ask them about behaviours they’d like to turn into habits—like remembering to put their shoes away or helping set the table. You can also introduce the idea as a family effort, where everyone sets a goal they can work on together, like reading more as a family or having a tech-free night once a week.

 

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7 Ways to Help Your Kid Make Resolutions

Keep it Small and Incremental

It is rightly said that to stick longer to resolutions, it is always better to make a one-degree shift, not a 180-degree overhaul. It’s all about taking small steps toward something bigger, rather than diving into a drastic change that might be hard to stick with. Encourage your kids to think about manageable goals that they can gradually work on throughout the year. 

For example, instead of "I want to read 50 books," a more achievable goal might be "I want to read one new chapter book every month."Or, rather than setting a goal of "I want to be the fastest runner," a more realistic goal could be "I want to run one extra lap each week." 

 

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Let Kids Take the Lead

This is a great chance to learn from your child about what’s important to them and where they might want to grow. Instead of telling them what to change, ask them questions like, "How do you want to grow this year?" or "Is there something you’d like to get better at?" This way, they’ll feel empowered to take ownership of their own resolutions. Sit down together and brainstorm ideas, making sure to start small with just one or two goals. 
You can always revisit them a few months later to see how things are going. Keep the conversation open and supportive, letting them know that it’s okay to adjust their goals as they learn and grow. The key is to make the process collaborative and reflective, so they feel proud of the choices they make.

 

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Reflect On The Past Year

Before jumping into new resolutions, take a moment to look back on the year together. What did your child do well? What were their proudest moments? Did they learn something new? Celebrate their growth—whether it was mastering a new skill, becoming more responsible, or showing kindness to others. Focusing on what went well can build confidence and create a positive mindset, making it easier to set new goals moving forward.
For example, if your child worked hard to improve their soccer skills, celebrate how much they’ve improved, even if they didn’t win every game. Maybe they found a love for a new subject in school or developed a talent for drawing. Remind them of the effort they put into their achievements. It’s important for kids to see how far they’ve come, rather than just focusing on what’s left to do.

 

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Consider Their Values

Resolutions are most meaningful when they’re tied to something important to your child. Help them explore what matters most to them. Values give life purpose and direction, so encouraging your child to think about their core values can make their resolutions more personal and motivating.
Ask questions like:

• What kind of person do you want to be?
• What gets you excited?
• What would make you feel healthier?
• What would make you proud of yourself?
• How do you want to make other people feel?

Some families find it helpful to do a "values clarification" exercise, or even use a simple card sort to identify key values. For example, does your child value creativity, kindness, or adventure? Linking resolutions to those values will make the goal feel more authentic and rewarding. For instance, if a child values kindness, a resolution might be to do one kind thing every day, whether it’s helping a friend or making a thank-you card for a teacher. If health is a core value, they might choose to get outside and play for 20 minutes each day, or work toward eating more vegetables.

 

Related story: 5 Self-care Habits To Take Into The New Year

 

Keep It Fun and Achievable

Make goal-setting something to look forward to, not something that feels like a chore. Incorporating fun into the process can turn resolutions into enjoyable family activities and long-lasting habits.
For example:

• If your 8-year-old successfully reads every day for a week, maybe they get to pick the family movie for the weekend.
• If your preschooler wants to eat more vegetables, try blending them into smoothies that the whole family can enjoy together.

Involving kids in decision-making not only empowers them, but it also makes them more likely to stick with their resolutions. Make these goals feel exciting, and emphasise how fun it will be to work on them as a family. Perhaps you could create a resolution jar, where everyone writes down their goals, and then share their progress at the end of each month.

 

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Create An Accountability System

One of the easiest ways to stay committed to a resolution is by making it visible. Having your goals in a place where you can see them daily acts as a constant reminder. For example, write everyone’s resolutions on the bathroom mirror using dry-erase markers—this way, every time someone brushes their teeth or washes their hands, they’ll be reminded of their goal. Alternatively, set up a family "resolution board" in a common area like the kitchen or hallway. You can use a chalkboard or sticky notes for flexibility, making it easy to track and update goals as the year goes on.

Another creative way to stay accountable is by using a jar system to track progress. Every time someone meets their goal, they place a bead or stone in the jar. This provides a fun, visual representation of how much effort has gone into achieving the goal. To make it more personalised, you can use goal-specific tokens—such as mini books for reading or tiny dumbbell-shaped beads for fitness goals. As the jar fills up, it becomes a tangible reminder of progress, helping to keep everyone motivated and engaged.

 

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Make It a Family Affair

New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be an individual endeavor! If everyone in the family sets their own goals, you can support each other and celebrate progress as a team. Maybe you all agree to get outside for a family walk every weekend, or perhaps each person chooses something they want to improve individually, but you hold one another accountable. 

The beauty of this is that you’re all in it together, which makes the journey more fun and fulfilling. Additionally, celebrating each other’s successes—big or small—creates a sense of unity and strengthens family bonds.

 

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