A University of Michigan Health Survey shows parents and children are making New Year's resolutions focused on better parenting, academic success and healthier lifestyle habits. These resolutions help improve parenting skills and teach children the importance of goal setting and personal growth.
Many parents are resolving to reboot their parenting and family health habits this New Year. Among many parents' top New Year's resolutions are more patience, less cell phone time, better discipline consistency and healthier family habits.
The National Poll on Children's Health from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital shows their teens are also setting goals, including achievement related to grades and academics, being successful at an activity, exercise and nutrition and making more money.
Nearly three-quarters of parents surveyed said they make resolutions or set personal goals during the year, with a quarter planning to do so when the clock strikes midnight for the next calendar year, with a smaller number choosing to start fresh at the start of a new school year or birthdays.
According to an August 2023 nationally representative poll of 2,044 parents of children aged 0-18, more than half of parents said their children aged 11-18 also set personal goals.
"Landmark moments, such as the start of a new calendar or a new school year, provide families with opportunities for self-reflection and inspire them to improve some aspect of their physical and emotional health," said Sarah Clark, MD, co-director of the Mott Poll. "Our poll shows that parents often focus on areas they want to improve in their parenting, including being more involved, paying attention to their own and their children's health, and supporting their children's connections to the broader community."
Parents’ goals and children’s determination
Nearly half of mothers and a third of fathers said they had set goals to change the way they parent, with more than three-quarters striving to be more patient and more than half hoping to spend less time on their phones.
Some parents also set health-related goals, with nearly half resolving to provide healthier meals and snacks and more than a third planning to exercise with their children.
Of those parents who set parenting goals, about three-quarters believe it helps them become better parents, and even more believe it helps their children learn how to work toward their goals.
"Setting goals to improve parenting can help parents define their own values and priorities and have a positive impact on the health and well-being of the entire family," Clark said. "Polls show that parents with three or more children in the home are also more likely to set goals, discipline their children consistently, and engage their children in spiritual activities than parents with fewer children," Clark said.
Children are also determined
When it comes to children's goals, nearly 70 percent are related to grades and school performance, and just over half want to succeed in an activity. About two-fifths of the kids were concerned about exercise, eating habits and nutrition, and making money, and more than a third wanted to try new things. Less than a quarter of goals included friendship or volunteering.
According to parents, teens ages 15-18 more often mentioned goals related to nutrition and exercise, while exploring new things was more common among kids ages 11-14.
"Setting goals helps children learn to take responsibility for their actions and develop a growth mindset," Clark said. "Parent modeling of goals also teaches children the importance of working hard at something and learning from their mistakes."
celebrate success
Parents shared the different ways they support their children in achieving their goals. Most said they celebrated their children's progress, and more than half worked with their children toward goals. Others help track a child's progress, provide financial support, or provide rewards for achieving goals.
"Taking steps to encourage children to set goals is a great way for parents to show support and confidence in their children," Clark said. Parents may wish to identify specific strategies to improve their ability to achieve goals, she suggested. "We all know that New Year's resolutions that people make often fade over time. If families want to be serious about sticking to their resolutions, they must set specific and realistic goals and schedule the time to take the necessary steps to achieve them."
Compiled source: ScitechDaily