Happy New Year! At this time of the year, adults create resolutions for the up coming year. They may want to lose weight, get organized, eat healthy foods, exercise, get a better job, pay off their debt or volunteer to help others. Why should grown-ups get all the fun of making resolutions? Kids can make New Year resolutions too!

Kids, 7 to 12 are the perfect age to start making resolutions. They’re old enough to contemplate what they want to change in their life and make a commitment to changing. At this stage, they’re beginning to be mindful and respect others. They’re working on being independent and learning. Making a resolution and sticking with it will build discipline and character.

Here are some tips for helping your child keep their New Years resolutions.

• Write your resolutions down. You may want to decorate the paper you wrote them on and frame it. Make sure they’re specific. For example, I want to eat more healthfully – by eating one vegetable at every meal, or I will help out at home by putting my bicycle away in the garage after I ride it.
• Put your resolutions in a place where you’ll see it frequently. This will remind you of your commitments. The refrigerator in the kitchen or the bathroom mirror are a couple of places where you’ll see your resolutions frequently.
• When you share your goals with others you’re more likely to achieve them. Your family can support you to remember your resolutions. So share your resolutions with your family.
• A single, new resolution each month maybe easier to keep than a couple of huge year long resolutions.

When you’ve accomplished your resolution, reward yourself by doing something that’s fun! Knuckleheads Gym is a fun thing to do in Carlsbad, CA. Work out on our exercise machines, climb the rock treadwall, dodge the lightball on Lightspace or play our giant games. You’ll have so much fun you won’t even notice that you’re exercising. Come in for an hour or two, or become a member and come in for 3 hours, 6 days a week!