*** Monthly Feature Column ***
Positively Speaking
Building Assets in your Kids
January 2007 – Asset #37
Personal Power
by Kelly Curtis.
Everywhere I turned this week, one theme reigned.
New Year’s Resolutions.
Whether the resolution was healthy eating, getting in shape, better communication or safer driving, the concept was always the same – setting goals.
But goals shouldn’t be set by Mom and Dad alone. There are many reasons to involve kids in the process as well.
Search Institute has identified “personal power†as one of the 40 Developmental Assets, which means research shows it’s a characteristic of healthy, caring, resilient kids. The more assets youth have, the more likely they’ll resist risky behaviors in the future.
Search defines personal power as: “Child feels he or she has some influence over things that happen in her or his life.â€
There are various assets that I think relate to this.
Setting small goals — and achieving them — can go a long way toward building important assets like self-esteem, and planning and decision-making. But personal power resonates with me because of the way it empowers the child.
My family leads a very hectic life, and I’ve set my own goals related to making our family function to the best of its ability. I’ve shared my personal goals with my kids and asked them to think of resolutions they might set for themselves, as well as what they could do to help me reach my goals.
This may seem like a lot to ask from kids who are eight and ten, but since my personal resolutions are so interconnected with their lives, I think it’s only fair.
Although the initial discussion met with resistance, a couple days later, both kids were able to produce a behavior-related goal:
“Read more books on my own,†and
“Act more responsibly.â€
Sounds good to me!
Here’s my challenge to you this month.
Share your goals with your kids. Then ask them what goals they have for themselves. Encourage them to brainstorm what they need to do to reach the goal, and how you can help.
Then, if you would, please come back and tell us your results!
Thanks for joining us to build assets in your kids! I look forward to seeing you again next month for Positively Speaking.
by Kelly Curtis
Pass the Torch
Angel – great article – thank you for sharing it!
And I’m glad you’ll use the idea in your classroom, Brandi. Fantastic!
I think that is a great idea! I don’t have my own children but I may use that in my classroom.
Have a great day!
Interestingly I just wrote about this on my site, http://1smartmom.com/index.php/2007/01/04/establishing-goals-with-your-children/
I love the idea of involving children in setting goals for their lives. As I said in my post, “Think if you establish the habit in them to set goals and accomplish them, how far that will take them. The possibilities are endless!”
Great! I’d love to hear what happens, Christina!
Great idea. I did share some goals I have with my kids, but I didn’t think to ask about theirs. Now I will.
I’m so pleased you’ll do this! And I completely relate to “all that entails” with older children;) Just remember, it’s the process that’s the most important. Even if your discussion seems bumpy, you’ll have planted a seed.
Good luck!
I enjoy listening to Dave Ramsey’s radio program. He talked the other day about not only making personal goals but helping our children do the same. I know this is going to not be popular with my 13 year old. He’s a really good kid but he’s 13 with all that entails! Your column inspired me to sit down with him, show him my list and help him make one for himself.