New Year's resolutions: how to make them stick

The close of a year is typically the cue to review the ups and downs of the past 12 months, rearrange priorities and make some New Year's resolutions in the hope of doing better.

Although shedding some flab or improving time management top many to-do lists, parents often make a few resolutions that are specific to their family roles. Whether it's a vow to spend more time with our children, or to keep a lid on our tempers, we all want a happier life for our families.

Counsellors say making resolutions as a family can help us persevere with the plan, and strengthen relationships along the way. Tik Chi-yuen, chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Family Education, reckons New Year's Eve is a good time for parents and kids to discuss how to relate better as a family in the coming year.

"Each person should have the chance to have some input," Tik says. "A family can write up a 'contract' in words, with pictures by the kids, and post it up. You are more likely to persevere and succeed if you are holding one another accountable and going at it as a whole family."

Instead of making big changes or setting ambitious goals, Tik suggests taking little steps forward. "Setting unattainable goals will only dampen everybody's spirits when no one can pull them off. Parents should also avoid setting targets for their children to achieve. Some may want their children to get more than 90 per cent in tests.

"Such academic goals will put off the kids. The resolutions should be about steps that can be taken to bring the family closer together. Once there's family harmony and the child is happy, he will study of his own accord," Tik says.