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Increased patience. Reduced phone usage. Healthier routines. Improved academic performance.
Crafting New Year’s resolutions is a common practice for both parents and kids, setting personal aspirations for the year ahead, as revealed by a recent poll.
The University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health discovered that nearly three-quarters of parents plan to adopt a resolution or personal goal for the upcoming year, with over half acknowledging that their tween or teen children will do the same.
Sarah Clark, co-director of the Mott Poll, emphasized the significance of encouraging goal-setting among children as a means for parents to display support and confidence in their child’s endeavors.
The poll unveiled that nearly half of mothers and a third of fathers have set goals aimed at enhancing their parenting skills. Among these parents, more than three-quarters aspire to cultivate greater patience, while over half aim to reduce their screen time.
An overwhelming majority of parents who established parenting goals expressed a belief that these resolutions contributed to their effectiveness as parents. Moreover, they perceived it as a positive demonstration of setting personal objectives for their children.
Clark highlighted the importance of parental goal-setting in defining values and priorities, which subsequently influences the overall well-being of the family unit.
Interestingly, parents with three or more children exhibited a greater inclination towards goals related to consistency in discipline and involvement in spiritual activities compared to those with fewer children.
Health-centric resolutions also featured prominently among parents, with approximately half aiming to provide healthier meals and snacks for their families, while more than a third intend to engage in physical activities with their children.
The poll indicated that parents often concentrate on enhancing their parenting approach, seeking greater engagement, focusing on family health, and fostering their child’s broader community connections.
In contrast, children aged 11 to 18 primarily focus their resolutions on academic pursuits, with nearly seven out of ten resolutions centering on grades and school performance. Additionally, over half of these kids aspire to excel in a specific activity, while more than a third aim to explore new interests.
Health-related resolutions are prevalent among children, with a significant proportion focusing on maintaining a balanced diet, exercising, and earning money.
Clark emphasized the educational value of goal-setting for children, promoting accountability and fostering a growth mindset. Encouraging parents to model goal-setting behaviors, she highlighted its role in imparting the importance of perseverance and learning from setbacks.
However, the level of parental support in aiding their children’s resolutions varies, from celebration and active participation to tracking progress and providing financial support or incentives.
Clark recommended a strategic approach for families committed to sustaining their resolutions, emphasizing the necessity of setting realistic and specific targets, along with scheduled actions to achieve them. She cautioned against the common trend of abandoning resolutions as the year progresses, advocating for a consistent and structured approach to uphold these commitments.
