It’s not only adults that make New Year’s Resolutions. Kids make them too. It’s important that you help your children and grandchildren choose resolutions which are age-appropriate and supported by you.

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides these resolution ideas for children. Use this as an opportunity to discuss healthy choices with the child and develop a game plan for how you will work together to meet the resolutions. You may even consider making it a game for the whole family – whoever keeps their resolutions the longest gets a prize.

Preschoolers

• I will clean up my toys.
• I will brush my teeth twice a day.
• I will wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
• I won’t tease dogs – even friendly ones. I will avoid being bitten by keeping my fingers and face away from their mouths.

Kids, 5 to 12 years old

• I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!
• I will always wear a helmet when bicycling.
• I’ll be nice to other kids. I’ll be friendly to kids who need friends – like someone who is shy, or is new to my school.
• I’ll never give out personal information such as my name, home address, school name or telephone number on the Internet.  Also, I’ll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without my parent’s permission.

Kids, 13 years old and up

• I will eat at least one fruit and one vegetable every day, and I will limit the amount of soda I drink.
• I will help out in my community – through volunteering, working with community groups or by joining a group that helps people in need.
• I will wipe negative “self talk” (i.e. “I can’t do it” or “I’m so dumb”) out of my vocabulary,
• When faced with a difficult decision, I will talk with an adult about my choices.
• I will not use a cell phone or text while driving.
• I will always wear my seatbelt – even with friends when I am in the back seat.