Like us on Sharing End of the Year Reflections with Young People
As we
approach the New Year many of us use this time of self-reflection to craft
resolutions to improve ourselves in the coming year. From healthier eating
habits, to increased exercise, to our own elimination of procrastination, often
resolutions are focused on our own improvement. This year take a chance and make
it a family or community activity. After all, adults are not the only ones who
benefit from New Year’s resolutions; our children can also learn a lot about
self-discipline and the value of making goals as the resolve to make things
better in the New Year.
The best way to teach children the importance of a New
Year’s resolution is by making it part of the tradition of a family or
community. As you gather together in December with the young people in your
life, take the opportunity to reflect on the past year. Together you can discuss
accomplishments and goals, as individuals and as a group. In your resolution
conversation each member young and old can talk about what worked this year and
what can be improved in the coming months.
A
whole family or group can make a resolution which helps support even the
youngest members achieve their goals. For example, a group resolution may be to
go to the park on a weekly or monthly basis to have a healthy game of catch.
This resolution gets the group out and active.
As Sondheim’s Witch pronounces in Into the Woods, “Careful the things you
do, children will see and learn.” It is up to those treasured adults in our
children’s lives to serve as role models, whether they choose to or not. As you
share your resolution take a moment to think about what you would like to see in
the coming year and share that with the young people in your life. Also remember
to share the obstacles and successes that are on your path to achieving your
goals.
We all know the feeling of meeting a goal, whether it
be losing five pounds, quitting smoking or putting in extra hours to complete a
project on the job. Young people also relish that thrill of accomplishment,
especially when others acknowledge it. Throughout the year check in and make
sure you take time to acknowledge the successes, along with reinforcing the
resolutions that need more attention.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Monthly
Messages are brought to you by the Tompkins County Youth Services Department, a
proud partner of The Community Coalition for Healthy Youth.
If you have further questions or comments about this message or would like information on how to become involved with the Community Coalition for Healthy Youth, please email ahendrix@tompkins-co.org.
Thank
you in advance for sharing this monthly message with all of your
networks.