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Coming up with goals to achieve or resolutions for the New Year is pretty easy even for children. Sticking to them can be very difficult no matter who you are. Helping your children stick to their goals is just as necessary as having someone help encourage you to stick to your goals and resolutions.

There are many ways to help children stick to their goals. Just remember you want to encourage them not do it for them. Let them know from the very beginning that you are there for them. If they have questions or feel like they are beginning to falter help them through it. Talk to them, even give them some suggestions but no matter what, don’t do it for them. It’s their goal to achieve and they should be proud of themselves for that.

Encourage them by giving them little reminders of what they wanted to accomplish. If they are trying to get their grades up, for instance, each time they get a little better grade or have a paper from school that was better than the last one be sure to acknowledge that. Tell them how proud you are of them for what they have done so far. Also let them know that they have proven to themselves that they can do it one step at a time.

Leave little notes around for them. Place one on their pillow at night or in their lunch box to find at school. If your children are still young enough that you lay their clothes out at night for the next day place a note in their pocket that says “I know you can do it.” “I’m proud of you.”

When your children accomplish a goal do something special to celebrate their achievement. Take them to their favorite restaurant for dinner or better yet make their favorite dinner at home. Let them stay up an extra half hour at night to watch their favorite TV show or read a book. Just be sure you give them something they will look at as a reward. It’s important that they know they have done a good thing and it brings good feelings on everyone’s part.

No matter how you help your child to stick to their goals be sure they know you are proud of them. Even if they should fail they need to know that you can still be proud of yourself for trying. It’s important to help them build their self-esteem no matter what the outcome is. By showing them it can be easy and fun to stick to their goals they will understand what it is so important and means so much.

Submitted by Christmas Fun

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