Goal Setting and Your Child

I can almost hear the groans as parents think of the last conversations with their child about goals. It went something like this:

Parent: “What do you want to do with your life?”
Kid: “I don’t know…something. I’ll figure it out eventually.”

                                        (End of conversation)

What most parents don’t realize is that there are plenty of things that your child does know, and is very clear on…these are WANTS. Every child is clear on what they want. Ultimately these wants are their goals. Goals are made up of ideas, and your child sees these ideas in mental pictures, and in feelings.

For example:
 
Emily can see herself living in a college town by the ocean after she graduates high school. She may not express that she wants to go to college, but she sees herself by the ocean. If she focuses on being by the ocean she might begin to think of going to a College that will help her move there.

John sees himself in a very expensive Ferrari, though he may not know what job one day will help him to afford the purchase. The more he focuses on that Ferrari the more he might begin to think about what kind of money he will need to earn to have the lifestyle he wants.

So right now your child can answer what they “want” for themselves, but not necessarily what steps are needed to get the things they want. This is perfectly normal!
 
So how do you learn what your child wants?

Create a “FUTURE BOARD” together. This activity will help your child express what s/he wants out of life, and it’s a great way to bond in the process.

Ask your child to do a project with you, grab the following supplies, make some popcorn put on a movie and start goal hunting. Tell your child to cut out things s/he wants in the future.

To create a Future Board:

• Gather:
  • Old magazines from around the house. (Beauty, travel, lifestyle magazines work great)
    
  • Get two pieces of construction paper-11x14
    
  • Get two pairs of scissors
    
  • Get two Glue Sticks
    
• Get Started:
  
  • Go through the magazines and cut out words & pictures that represent your goals
    
  • Make sure that all pictures and words create a positive emotion (Don’t put cut out things that are shoulds)
    
  • Stack your cut pieces in a pile until you are done looking through all magazines. (Don’t glue one thing at a time)
    
  • When you’re done, create your collage of words and goals
    
  • Label The Board: My Future Life
    
  • Now start gluing your future boards together!

When finished share your board with each other, and put them up on a wall in your rooms.
 
By learning about your goals, your child will see you as a person who also wants new things in life. Also, make sure to not criticize any of your child’s goals. Remember, for your child, sharing goals with you is a big deal, and a very private thing. Embrace all of the items that are on your child’s board as bits and pieces of greater goals that your child will accomplish one day!