Ride the Goal Train to Go From Geek to Chic
The nerdy girl who loses her braces, gets contacts and comes back in the fall as the coolest girl on campus. The little freshman runt who grows a foot, works out and returns to school as the football hero.
Maybe it’s all the teeny bopper movies I watched when I was younger, but I always see summer as an amazing time for change and growth.
It’s wonderful what can be accomplished with a simple goal and 3 small months.
Set Summer Goals with Your Children
Summer vacation is the perfect time to help our children set a goal to learn a new skill or improve and old one. It’s amazing how just a little vision and direction can inspire children to work together and accomplish big things.
As moms, we need to lead the way. We need to set our own goals for the summer. The great thing about summer goals is that they are especially and uniquely fun. Because summer is (or should be) especially and uniquely fun.
How To Make Goals F-U-N
No one wants to feel overwhelmed by work in the summer so the key to setting a good summer goal(s) is to make sure the activity is something they love and are passionate about. (Grammar geeks: I formally apologize for ending that sentence in a preposition.)
Next, help them pick a goal that seems just out of reach and impressive to them. It needs to be a realistic goal, but one that will require a good bit of determination.
Passion and Perseverance
When we set out to accomplish something, we require two characteristics: Passion and Perseverance. At the beginning we’re very passionate, but soon it gets hard and that’s when we need to choose to develop our ability to persevere. This is where the real growth and character building happens.
Then comes the joy of accomplishing something that seemed out of reach. There are few things that can build confidence in a child like perseverance followed by victory.
Younger Children
Even very small children can set fun goals. For example:
- Learn all the letters in the alphabet.
- Learn to count to 5, 10, 20.
- Learn to ride a scooter.
- Learn to swing.
- Learn to swim.
- Learn to read.
The idea is to make sure they know that they’re working towards something so that when they accomplish it they can really value all the effort and relish the sense of accomplishment.
Trouble Shooting
If your child is having a hard time getting motivated, re-evaluate their goal. Is it truly in line with what they love to do. Is it too high of a goal? Do they have the proper tools, instruction, guidance?
How To Keep Them Motivated
It’s important to help them break down their goals into small, daily steps and individual milestones. Milestones will help keep your kids feel motivated rather than overwhelmed. When they are reached, reward them.
You can also motivate them by specifically working with them on their goal. They’ll cherish the opportunity for some special time with you.
Make It a Family Event and Make It Super Fun
Create a chart for the whole family. Each day or week have everyone log their goal progress. This is a great visual motivator.
Have an “awards ceremony” at the end of the summer where each person showcases their new or improved skill and receives a homemade certificate of accomplishment and a word of praise from mom and dad.
A Handy Dandy Form/Chart
Some people like to read, rock climb or spend the evening on the town. Me? I spend my Saturday nights making charts and forms. That’s right. You walk with me, you walk on the e-d-g-e.
So here’s a handy form that will help you create your goals and track your progress throughout the summer. Enjoy!
What goals would you like to make this summer? Tell us!
(This was an adapted re-post from 5/10. Three more days until I take you to the Philippines. Not that I’m counting down the seconds or anything…)
Inspired? Share it!
My name is Kat and I'm so glad you stopped by. This blog is full of resources for inspired moms like you.
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I’m confused by the 8 circles on the chart… Can you clarify what we’re marking? 8 times to practice?
Love the chart and have a BLESSED trip! Love you!
lol but identify with your edge livin…thanks for the chart
I was really motivated by your summer goals idea last year (wrote about it here, in fact: http://petuniajune.blogspot.com/search?q=seize+the+summer), and we found it to be a wonderful framework for growth, exploration and fun. Thanks, Kat!
I always think my kids are too young but those are great young kids suggestions! You are quite the saturday night party animal!! LOL Love it
Great chart,thanks for your sharing.I hope my family will have a beautiful summer
This is awesome, Kat!
{CANNOT wait for your trip! Have I said that before?}
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing. I’m getting ready to potty train my son and think I’ll do a goal chart for him with little rewards. You’re right, even my 2 year old can set goals. I also started doing goal setting with my daughter for her dental hygiene. She had 3 cavities by the time she was 4. I found some really helpful tips for that in a Mom’s Guide for Caring for Little Teeth. Here’s the link if you want to check it out: http://www.1dental.com/moms-guide/
Now I’m off to think through some summer goals for my children!!
Great post.
Children want to be grown-ups.
they look at us as their model ,and they only see us as successful people, so when they will feel the same success in something they did – there you go.
I really think it’s a great post, again, inspiring really. so simple. so true.
(who cares about the grammar?)
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