New Year Resolutions for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults - Should They Do It?

The start of a new year is a perfect time for self-reflection and goal-setting, not just for adults but also for kids, teens, and young adults.

Creating New Year's resolutions can be a positive and empowering activity for all ages. It helps them build positive habits, learn responsibility, create a sense of purpose, set goals, reflect on their values, and practice important life skills like planning and perseverance.

Whether it's fostering new skills or making small, meaningful changes, resolutions can set the tone for a fulfilling year ahead. However, the process should be age-appropriate, fun, and supportive to ensure it fosters growth rather than pressure.

Benefits of New Year's Resolutions

1. Encourages Goal Setting

Teaches them how to set achievable goals and work toward them.

2. Builds Self-Reflection

Helps them think about what they want to improve or achieve. Reflect on strengths and help build self-awareness.

3. Boost Confidence

Achieving even small resolutions can build self-esteem, instill pride and self-belief, and a sense of accomplishment.

4. Promotes Responsibility

Encourages taking ownership of personal growth and habits.

5. Develop Life Skills

Learning to set and achieve goals is a foundational life skill.

6. Focus on Independence

By focusing on independence, you can create healthier boundaries, manage your time and finances better, and cultivate a lifestyle that aligns with your values and goals. It can empower you to take charge of your life and feel more self-reliant and fulfilled.

7. Career Aspirations

Help you find clarity and focus on identifying specific goals, and reflect on where you are professionally and where you want to go.

Tips for Creating Resolutions

1. Make It Fun

Focus on goals that excite them, like learning a new skill or spending more time on a favorite hobby.

2. Keep Goals Specific and Realistic

Instead of vague resolutions like "do better in school," or "be healthier," suggest specific actions like "drink water instead of soda/pop at lunch," "exercise for 20 minutes three times a week," or "study math for 15 minutes daily."

3. Break Down Goals

Help them track their progress, whether it's reading a certain number of books or practicing a skill for a set amount of time each day. Teach them to break resolutions into smaller, manageable steps.

4. Encourage Positive Framing

Focus on adding positive habits ("read more books") rather than eliminating negative ("stop playing video games").

5. Model the Behavior

Share your resolutions and work on them together to make it a family activity.

6. Make Resolutions Age-Appropriate

Keep goals simple and actionable for kids. For teens, encourage resolutions tied to their passions or areas they want to improve. For young adults, focus on resolutions that align with their personal or professional growth.

7. Focus on Positives

Frame resolutions around adding good habits, such as "learn one new recipe each month," rather than eliminating perceived negatives.

8. Offer Support

Encourage family or peer involvement to keep the process fun and motivating.

Examples of Kid-Friendly Resolutions

Young Kids:

• "I will eat a vegetable with one meal x days a week."
• "I will clean up my toys before bedtime."
• "I will practice kindness by saying one nice thing to a friend or family member every day."
• "I will read one book a month."

Teens:

• "I will limit screen time to 2 hours after school."
• "I will join a new club or volunteer in my community."
• "I will save 10% of my allowance or earnings for something special."
• "I will learn a new skill, like coding, drawing, or cooking."
• "I will take a break from social media for one hour each evening."
• "I will volunteer for a cause I care about at least once a month."

Young Adults:

• "I will update my resume and apply for three internships or jobs this year."
• "I will start a journal to reflect on my growth and gratitude."
• "I will dedicate one weekend a month to self-care or pursuing hobbies."
• "I will stick to a budget and work toward saving for a specific goal."

Resolutions can help develop essential skills for the future while encouraging personal growth in a supportive environment. The key is to make the process motivating and stress-free.

How to Stick to Resolutions

1. Start Small

Break down big goals into manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

2. Celebrate Milestones

Recognize and reward progress to stay motivated.

3. Be Flexible

Life happens! Adjust goals as needed rather than abandoning them.

4. Seek Accountability

Share resolutions with friends, family, or peers who can provide encouragement.

Conclusion

New Year's resolutions are not just about self-improvement; they're about fostering a mindset of growth and possibility. Whether it's a young child committing to keeping their toys tidy, a teen diving into a new hobby, or a young adult taking steps toward independence, resolutions can be a powerful tool for personal development.

Encourage kids, teens, and young adults to embrace the New Year with optimism and determination. With the right support and perspective, their resolutions can become stepping stones to a brighter, more confident future.

Celebrating New Years Around The World

The New Year marks a time of renewal, hope, and celebration across the globe. While January 1st is widely recognized as the start of the year in many countries, numerous cultures and religions observe their New Year on different dates, each with unique traditions, rituals, and festivities. Exploring these celebrations reveals the rich diversity of our shared human experience and the universal desire to start fresh.

January 1: Gregorian New Year (Global)

Celebrated by most of the world, the Gregorian New Year is often marked with fireworks, countdowns, and resolutions. Festivities vary by country.

United States and Canada

Dropping the ball in New York City and firework displays.

Brazil

Wearing white and offering flowers to the sea goddess, Yemanja.

Japan

Families clean their homes and enjoy traditional foods like osechi and mochi.

Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year)

Varies, typically late January or February. The Chinese New Year is celebrated in China and many Asian countries like Vietnam (Tet) and Korea (Seollal).

Traditions:

• Families gather for reunion dinners.
• Red envelopes filled with money are given to children for luck.
• Parades feature lion dances and firecrackers to ward off bad spirits.

Chinese New Year Symbolism

Each year corresponds to one of the 12 zodiac animals, bringing unique characteristics to the year ahead.

Nowruz: Persian New Year

Occurs March 20 - 21 (Spring Equinox). Nowruz, meaning "new day" is celebrated by Persian communities in Iran, Central Asia, and beyond.

Traditions

• Families prepare a haft-seen table with seven symbolic items.
• Homes are thoroughly cleaned to welcome fresh energy.
• Celebrations often include feasting, dancing, and visiting loved ones.

Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year

Occurs September of October (dates vary by the Hebrew Calendar). Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a spiritual time for reflection and renewal.

Traditions

• Blowing the shofar (ram's horn) to mark the beginning of the year.
• Eating symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey for a sweet year ahead.
• Attending synagogue services and reflecting on personal growth.

Diwali: Hindu New Year in Some Regions

Occurs in October or November (dates vary by lunar calendar). In many parts of India, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, marks the Hindu New Year.

Traditions

• Homes are decorated with diyas (oil lamps) and rangoli patterns.
• Fireworks light up the skies.
• Families enjoy sweets and exchange gifts to honor prosperity and light over darkness.

Songkran: Thai New Year

Occurs April 13-25. Songkran, celebrated in Thailand, is famous for its joyful water festival.

Traditions

• People splash water on one another to symbolize cleansing and renewal.
• Statues of Buddha are washed, and blessings are given.
• Families gather to honor elders and visit temples.

Ethiopian New Year: Enkutatash

Occurs September 11 or 12. Enkutatash, meaning "gift of jewels," marks the Ethiopian New Year.

Traditions

• Families gather for feasts, often featuring injera and doro wat.
• Children sing traditional songs and exchange bouquets of flowers.
• It coincides with the end of the rainy season, symbolizing renewal.

Islamic New Year: Hijiri or Muharram

Dates vary by lunar calendar (10 - 12 days earlier each year). The Islamic New Year commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's migration to Medina.

Traditions

• Observed more quietly than other New Year celebrations.
• Time for prayer, reflection, and remembrance of historical events.

New Year in Indigenous Cultures

Indigenous communities often have their own New Year traditions tied to the cycles of nature.

Matariki (Maori New Year)

Celebrated in New Zealand in June or July, Matariki marks the rising of the Pleiades star cluster and is a time for honoring ancestors, planting crops, and storytelling.

Haudenosaunee Midwinter Festival

In Native American cultures, such as the Iroquois, the midwinter New Year involves ceremonies of gratitude and renewal.

Why Celebrate Different New Years?

Exploring the various New Year celebrations observed by different cultures worldwide can be a fascinating and enriching experience.

These traditions mark the beginning of a new cycle in it's own way. Learning about these traditions not only broadens our understanding of diverse customs but also reminds us of the diversity of human expression and the universal desire for fresh starts, hope, and community.

Embracing this knowledge can foster mutual respect and appreciation for the rich tapestry of global cultures.

Why Should I Care About St. Patrick’s Day?

In 385 A.D., Maewyn Succat was born a Roman citizen. His life took an abrupt turn when he was enslaved and forced to Ireland. Eventually, he returned to Rome either by means of escape or freedom. He did not live safely for long, choosing instead to become a priest and returning to Ireland to win Christian converts.

Upon becoming a priest, legend has it that Maewyn Succat changed his name to Patrick, and eventually became the cause of the March 17th celebration.

The Holiday’s Beginnings

The account above comes from Marion Casey, a clinical assistant professor of Irish Studies at New York University, who TIME writer Ashley Ross quoted in her 2016 article, “The True History Behind St. Patrick’s Day.”

Ross said, that on March 17, 1631, the Church decided to recognize St. Patrick with a feast. This was the earliest record of the holiday that would become St. Patrick’s Day.

Since the holiday falls during the season of Lent, Christians began to use the holiday as an excuse to abstain from their disciplines. According to Casey, the celebration continued to develop into the 1700’s and became something deemed as wild. To remind everyone of the origins of the holiday, the church began to popularize the association of the lucky shamrock with St. Patrick.

Green is the New Blue

Ross said blue was the initial color chosen to celebrate St. Patrick's Day because of its presence in the royal court and on the Irish flag. Blue lasted until the Irish Rebellion of 1898 when the Irish selected green uniforms to counter the British red. The song “The Wearing of the Green” became the anthem of the rebellion, solidifying the color into the Irish historical prominence.

The Significance of the Name

If the legend Ross writes about is true, then Maewyn Succat’s name change to Patrick is worth consideration.

Ross said the name Patrick derives from the Latin phrase for “father figure.” This is fitting for St. Patrick because upon changing his name, he sacrificed his life to priesthood and lived for the betterment and goodwill of others.

You should care about St. Patrick’s Day because, like St. Patrick, you can choose to be a caregiver and role model. Whether you are a father, mother, teacher, or mentor; you can remember St. Patrick’s daily choice to sacrifice his well-being for the benefit of those he loved.

Why Should I Care About Valentine's Day?

We know Valentine's Day as a time to exchange gifts, celebrate romance, and express love. But 1,739 years ago, the Romans faced an entirely different situation.

The Emperor's Dilemma

According to History.com, Saint Valentine served in the Roman Empire in 278 A.D., during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Claudius II was confronted with a series of brutal wars and struggled to assemble an army large enough to face his challengers. There seemed to be little interest in the military, and Claudius blamed his men's loving dedication and loyalty to their families. In the emperor's mind, familial care was interfering with national advancement and security. Claudius II banned all marriages and engagements within his empire to counteract the internal threat.

The Saint's Rebellion

Saint Valentine, considering the ruling unjust, continued to perform marriages in secret. He enabled a legal confirmation of love and allowed men to continue pursuing a life at home with their families.

The emperor was angered when he discovered Valentine’s disobedience and promptly imprisoned the priest. Legend has it that Saint Valentine was befriended by his prison guard’s blind daughter, who may have provided the priest with food. He left her a note signed, "From your Valentine" before his execution on February 14^th.

Valentine was named a Saint after his death for his enduring beliefs. Could he also have been the first one to give a "Valentine"?

There is no definitive way to prove the origin of Valentine's Day. In fact, this is one of several Valentine's Day origin theories (the Catholic encyclopedia states that three St. Valentines were martyred on February 14^th).

The Holiday's Meaning

There are plenty of distractions that can keep us from each other. Whether it is your family, your classmates, your students, or your coworkers, hold the people in your life close and be thankful for the opportunity to serve them. Never let a day go by without intentional acts of love. A simple kind gesture, an encouraging word, or a walk in the park can improve anyone’s day. Intentionally set aside time in your life for the people you love, not just the things you do.

Heart Month: Protect a Teacher's Heart

Heart Month

In the month of February, the heart gets a lot of attention. Of course, there is the symbolic red heart, with its swooping, rounded top and pointed bottom. We see it everywhere as Valentine’s Day approaches. But what about the most important heart? The one that is inside of us.

The Heart of Fitness Finders

Here at Fitness Finders, heart healthiness is a major focus, stemming all the way back to the passion of our founder, Charles Kuntzleman. He even wrote about this in his book, “Instructors Guide for Feelin’ Good,” stating that regular exercise will make the heart stronger and more efficient. Exercise decreases resting heart rate, so the heart is not nearly as strained as we move through everyday life. That is why you will see a heart shaped eyelet in every Toe Token® in our Mileage Club® program.

The Heart of a Classroom

A passionate, encouraged, and supported teacher is like a healthy heart...
     Thump Thump — A kindergartener recites the alphabet
     Thump Thump — A fight is broken up
     Thump Thump — A first grader learns, “I’m sorry”
     Thump Thump — 30 research papers are graded, just in time for bed
But the pulse behind education can gradually weaken if the teacher's heart goes unprotected. "Those kids become ours in a way," said Betty Lindquist, an elementary school teacher with 27 years of experience. "We want to do everything right for them, and that can result in stress buildup."

Protecting a Teacher's Heart

"Teachers need support from administration, constant encouragement, and an outlet like exercise," said Betty. "I used to walk with other teachers to give us space and release the stress of the day, as well as encourage each other. "

Here are some other ideas of how you can reinforce a teacher’s heart’s defense:

• Anyone: Reconnect with a favorite teacher. Thank them for their influence on your life and update them on how you have put your education to work. 
• Kids: Say something nice to your teacher, at least once per week. 
• Parents: Send an encouraging email, thanking your child’s teacher for hard work. 
• Teachers: Establish support systems within your network of coworkers. Encourage each other and vent stress when necessary. Consider a structured fitness program like The Mega Mileage Club®, to keep you moving and working toward a goal together. 

"The heart of teaching will always be in me," said Betty. "There is nothing like seeing those light bulb moments and grounding students in the love of learning."