We’ve crossed the threshold from 2019 to 2020 and as we welcome in the next decade, we’ve all been encouraged to view this new year with 20/20 vision. New Year’s resolutions are a popular tradition and most of the time they center around personal growth and development. For instance, many people declare that they’ll go to the gym more or eat healthier in the next year. Gym memberships soar in January, but by February, many have given up.

For children, New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be quite as intense but setting goals for the next year can be empowering. Here are some age appropriate resolution ideas you can encourage your daughters to do in 2020.

Pre-School
Goal setting will be an important skill for your girls, so it’s a good idea to start early. You’ll need to keep their developmental age in mind as you encourage them choose their resolutions. For the little girls in
your life, here are some ideas:
– I’ll try new foods.
– I’ll be kind to other children.
– I’ll ask for help when I need it.

Early Elementary
For the elementary kids in your life, they can be a little more complex with their New Year’s resolutions.
They can include:
– I’ll keep my bedroom neat and clean without being asked.
– I’ll read a new book once a week.
– If someone at school need help, I’ll volunteer to help them.

Tweens
Between the ages of nine and 12, kids reach what’s often called the “tween” stage of development. They’re no longer little children but they’re not quite teenagers. It can be a confusing and challenging time for a lot of girls. Here are some appropriate resolutions.
– I’ll do my homework on time.
– I’ll help mom and dad with chores like cooking and cleaning.
– I’ll learn a new skill.

Teens
The teen years also come with their own sets of challenges. Along with body and hormonal changes, they sometimes feel the need to rebel against authority, including parents and teachers. They want to be independent, but still need guidance to make healthy and appropriate choices. Resolutions can be:
– I’ll stay off my phone and social media during family time in the evenings.
– I’ll get a job to earn my own money.
– I’ll write down at least one thing I’m grateful for each day.

Learning goal setting at a young age is a great way to encourage healthy, long-term habits. You can help foster healthy choices by encouraging not only age-appropriate New Year’s resolutions but continual evaluation of their goals. Reinforce that it’s okay to shift gears if the original goal is no longer working.

We often have a perception that if we’re unable to keep a resolution, we’ve somehow failed. That sends the wrong message to your children, especially girls. Instead, focus on the overall outcomes and what they want to accomplish over time.
What goals do you and your girls want to set for 2020?