As mid-January approaches, many of us face the inevitability of the resolution slump. While we may have made goals or resolutions for 2013 with the best of intentions, it’s not always easy to stay motivated. As Growing Leaders founder Tim Elmore points out in the guest post below, it’s easy for real life’s demands to get in the way. Fortunately, it’s not too late. In the blog below, Elmore offers some suggestions for setting and maintaining resolutions, that coincide with the working parent’s priorities.

By Tim Elmore, founder/president of Growing Leaders (www.GrowingLeaders.com)

Motivating kids in the New Year to be their best: 5 resolutions to own in 2013 

We’ve all been there. Taking on January first with gusto, excited about the promises we’ve made our selves to lose weight, pay off debt or quit smoking. But after a week or two, we inevitably lose steam. Did you know that nearly half of all adults make New Year’s resolutions every year? But according to some studies, by February first, more than half of those have broken their resolutions. Can you empathize?

It’s not that we don’t care about breaking our New Year’s resolutions, or don’t want to make positive lifestyle changes. It’s just that life gets in the way. Emergencies come up and we have to use our credit card or we’re running late for work and have to stop for breakfast at McDonalds. The reality is, we likely haven’t chosen resolutions that are enough of a priority to hold fast to, and see through to change.

Resolutions we can keep

We’re at a point in the parenting trajectory where we have to make some decisions. Our kids our growing up in a world that celebrates materialism and excess, with zero acknowledgement of consequences or regard for the future. For the benefit of our families, we must make home a contrast to that—a place that celebrates values, balance and regard for consequences that accompany both wise and rash choices.

You wouldn’t be on Working Mother if you weren’t interested in becoming a more informed parent. So why not focus and channel your New Year’s motivation to a place you hold as you utmost priority? Your family. Changes are easier to put in place when we resolve to make them as a group and promise to hold one another accountable. So this year, vow to enlist your family to make some positive changes that will actually make it to 2014.

Consider these resolutions for creating a family that seeks out intentional growth, and raises kids that possess a genuine sense of maturity and competence.

1.       Create a mission statement for your family. The key here is to set specific goals, not just express a specific desire—which is why so many resolutions fail. Take a few hours this month as a family, no cell phones/TV/Internet allowed, and reflect on the past year. Talk about what was good and bad, the struggles and triumphs. Then have each family member share an area that they would like to see growth and improvement in. Maybe it’s better communication to cut down on arguments, maybe it’s a savings plan for a family vacation, or it could be something as simple as resolving to be on time to school, work or events.

Once your family has establish areas in which you want change, write them down along with specific solutions to make it happen—wake up 20 minutes earlier everyday, eat out only two times per month, etc., and post the list somewhere visible. Each month make a point to visit it as a family and track your progress.

2.       Model the life you want your family to live. As parents, the sole responsibility is on us to teach our kids how to live a life of character. We have to practice what we preach. But many parents don’t realize just how much their actions affect their kids. As the leaders of our homes, we have to practice what we preach. Not sure where to start? Here are some ways my wife and I walk the talk in our home. 

·         Only speak honest words—white lies will surface and slowly disintegrate your character. 

·         Watch yourself in the little ethical choices that others might notice—because your kids will notice. If you don’t cut corners, they will know it’s not acceptable for them to either.

·         Act in light of the bigger picture and give more than you take this year. Show your kids what it means to give selflessly and joyfully by volunteering for a service project or with a community group.

·         Set a personal standard that is higher than the minimum society asks of you. Leave people and places better than you found them, and your kids will take note and do the same.

What are your New Year’s resolutions? Have you made afamily resolution, or would you consider it? I would love to hear your feedback.

Tim Elmore is founder and president of Growing Leaders (www.growingleaders.com), an international non-profit created to develop young leaders who can impact and transform society. He works with parents, teachers, coaches and mentors across the globe on how to create a balanced environment that enables children to lead themselves well and influence others in a positive way. Tim latest book is Artificial Maturity: Helping Kids Meet the Challenge of Becoming Authentic Adults.