But how can we expect our lil’ ones to exhibit willpower we as adults can’t even follow through with the whole year? We have a few tips!

1. Make a list: Sit down with your lil’ one and make a list of things they would like to work on this year. These changes can be big or small, one-time things or lasting changes. For example, they may want to “get an A+ on one math test this year” or “walk the dog for mom at least once a week.” Try to pick a number of changes from this list that seems manageable. For smaller children this may be limited to one big change and one small change, but this will vary from child to child. Children may also fare better with a series of one-time tasks or accomplishments (i.e. Get an A+ on math test, make a scrapbook for Mom and Dad’s anniversary, vacuum the living room once, 

2. Enforce it: Here comes the hard part! You have a few options for helping your lil’ one make a lasting change in their life:

• Calendars- Print out a calendar for the entire 2014 year. If your resolution is “walk the dog every saturday with mom,” put on the calendar every saturday “walk dog.” If you have more than one child, you can color code each child with their own color. This will help them visualize their task. They can then track progress with a sticker, check, smiley face etc. for every time they complete their resolution task.
• Sticky notes- if a child is completing a series of one time resolutions, sticky notes may be easier. These can be posted on a board with their name or up in their room. Write one task on each sticky. When the task is complete, take the sticky note down and throw it away. Again, the visual element of working through their goals will help children see their progress and want to continue.
• Calendar alerts- for older children with phones, add these events into their phone. If it is a reoccurring event, add a reoccurring event into their phone calendars with a notification. That way, every friday after school their phone will ding “walk the dog,” reminding them to keep on top of their resolution. It is also easy to do the same thing for one time events that way they will not forget about them months down the line.
• Goals list- make a list of goals and post it somewhere visible (i.e. fridge, mudroom, bedroom, desk). As these goals are checked off, let children put check marks next to them. Seeing what they have already accomplished may encourage some children to continue checking items off their list.

3. Create lasting change: These strategies will help your child (and you!) follow through on New Year’s resolutions for the entire year. This will teach responsibility and commitment to changes and promises made.

-Lauren has been babysitting since she was a lil’ one herself and works in-house at the LLD office.