How to create a vision and goals for your child’s success in school and life

In order to achieve anything in business we must first create a vision and set goals to make that vision a reality. The same is true with your life at home. Surely you have dreamed of the kind of life you want for your children. However, have you ever considered writing that vision on paper and connecting goals to ensure it becomes reality? Your intentional parental acts every day create the blueprint for your child’s success in school and life.

I encourage you to take a few minutes this week to write a vision for your children and set goals to make sure it becomes reality. Post them in a prominent place for daily reading until they are a natural part of your intentional actions each day. If your children are older, teach them how to create a vision and set goals for themselves, as well.

My vision for my children is:

My children will be happy to go to school. They will learn independently and be responsible for themselves and others. My children will have many friends and enjoy helping others. For all of their hard work and dedication, they will receive academic awards, athletic awards and service awards. College is something they will always dream of attending. Reading and writing will be joyful experiences for them. My children will be organized, know how to study, will love to learn and will love to teach others.

The goals that will help us reach the vision are:

1. I will build a loving and mutually respectful relationship with my children.

2. I will offer them ample opportunities to make independent choices with as much guidance as necessary and with trust that their decisions are helping them learn independence.

3. I will seek out opportunities for them to be leaders and get involved in service learning projects that support the community we live in.

4. I will encourage them to attempt difficult tasks and support them through the tasks.

5. I will read and write to them and with them everyday.

6. I will engage in daily conversation about what my children have learned and what I have learned. Creating a desire to learn something new and share this new knowledge with others each day.

7. I will keep the house organized and teach them how to organize.

Setting family goals and rituals for 2009

The new year is a perfect time to set goals as a family.  It is also the perfect time to create new family rituals that develop stronger relationships within the family unit.  One thing is for sure, working as a team sure beats working all by yourself on anything in life!

So what goals or rituals are important to your family in 2009?

Here are some of the Stuckey family goals and rituals for 2009:

1.  We will schedule daddy time for Rivers (our son and only child) every weeknight from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. I am sure it will be filled with pillow fights, gardening, fishing or any number of sports in the yard.  Daddy frequently travels with his job and leaves to go to work early in the morning.  By planning this time for Rivers and daddy we will be sure their relationship continues to grow and flourish.

2. We will take a family photo (with the digital camera) once a month to remember one of our favorite activities for that month and then compile them into a yearly calendar for 2010. In  2010 we will be able to compare whether our interests are the same.

3. We will choose a community service project to participate in at least every other month. We will begin in January by collecting supplies for our local animal shelter.

4. We will each have a small notebook to record every time we spend money. We have divided the pages into 2 columns – the left column says, “wants” and the right column says, “needs.”  For Christmas, we bought ourselves a play ATM machine to deposit savings each week.  Our goal is to save at least $50 per week. We look forward to a trip to Disney World in September with the savings.

So what are your family’s rituals and goals for 2009? Leave a comment to let the world know.