Do you set goals with your kids? My 5 month old has goals. Eating every 2 hours and lots of kisses, those are his concerns. This year though as I set my New Years Resolutions, I began to wonder… how will my goals affect my children? What kind of example will I set?

Then I began to worry…

Their is an evolution to resolutions – I don’t want the pattern of my goals to set bad examples of impatience, shortcuts, giving up, insecurity and a sense of failure. So I reevaluated, spent a lot of time staring at my hope for the future, then made a new list.

Pick a charity or cause

Raising a giving child takes focus, attention, and setting an example of helping others. Every year my goal is to select a cause, then donate time, money and energy. As my children grow older, I will get them involved in activities. They can donate toys, help pick out presents for Angel Tree donations, bake cookies to give, sing songs at nursing homes – endless opportunities.

Good Health

Who doesn’t write down a diet related resolution? Every year I plan to loose those last 30 pounds – then eat my way thru the year. I want strong sons and daughters with self-esteem and good self-image. I want to help my daughters understand their beauty and accept curves. If I want my children to be free of the self-doubt I battle – I need to change myself first. I don’t want my children to hear my destructive comments concerning my physique – I need to become the example of confidence and strength I want for my children.

In a few weeks, I will be spooning peas and cereal and it’s the perfect opportunity to start proper eating habits. Food introduced and encouraged from the beginning affect a child’s eating habits the rest of their life.

Did your Resolutions change once you had a baby?

Do you include the entire family in yearly goals?