“Teach a child to choose the right path, and when older they will remain upon it” – Proverbs 22:6
Part of your role as a parent is to partner with your children to set life goals. This includes teaching children that life is full of possibilities. Telling your children that they are ALWAYS at choice when it comes to what they do with their life and how they get there is also part of your parental role.
Conversations with your children about life goals including health, personal development, money, physical development, academics, family, friends, love, recreation, community, spirituality, and career are just some of the areas in which you can work with your child to set personal goals.
You may find the exercise of clarifying the goals you hold for your children to be valuable. While it is wonderful to want the best for your child and to dream about him or her growing up to become a doctor or lawyer, your dreams might not be in line with what your child wants for him or herself. Remember to be open, supportive, motivating, encouraging, and reward your child’s forward movement.
A handful of the questions I ask my children, ages 3 and 5, to begin the process of goal setting include:
- What do you dream about being when you grow up?
- What do you think you would love most about that work?
- What do you think you might not like about that career?
- What can you do now to move you closer to that dream?
- Where do you see yourself living as an adult? (city, country, shore, mountains, etc.)
- What are the things you really want to have in your life as you grow up?
- What would you like to accomplish this year in terms of your … ? (Talk about goals related to personal development, athletic ability, academics, spirituality, family, friends, etc.)
- Financially, what would you like to be able to do with your money as you grow up? (buy a car, pay for college, have so much money in bank, etc.)
- Tell me about the family you want to build for yourself as you grow up?
Of course, there are many more questions that will lead you down the road to goal setting with your children. And many follow up questions that when asked, will further clarify your child’s goals. I invite you to enjoy the process of beginning to set goals with your children this week.
