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Goal-Getters
Help Your Kids Reach Their Dreams
By Beverly K. Bachel
"Eat healthier by bringing my lunch to school four days a week instead of eating at fast-food restaurants."
Not-so-SMART Goal: "Get an A+ in math."
"Boost my math grade by at least one letter by the end of the semester."
Not-so-SMART Goal: "Get a new bike."
"Buy a new bike by May 31, 2003."
2. Write them down. Have your kids write their goals and the date by which they want to achieve them on a piece of paper. Have them post it in their locker, on the computer, on the refrigerator or somewhere else they'll see it often.
3. Think positively. Attitude is everything when it comes to your kids' future success. Help them make a list of their good qualities, remember compliments and appreciate what they have. And remember to practice what you preach. If your kids see you with a can-do attitude, they'll be more likely to think positively.
4. Find time. Help your kids cut down on time wasters, like watching TV, surfing the Internet or talking on the phone, so they can free up time to focus on their goal.
5. Take 10. Set a kitchen timer or stopwatch for 10 minutes and encourage your kids to use that time to work on their goals. They may find themselves motivated to keep working on their goal even after the 10 minutes are up.
6. Give a reward. When your kids take a step toward their goal, reward them with a movie, their favorite meal, a weekend off from their chores or another incentive that will keep them motivated.
