ANN ARBOR, MI (U OF M HEALTH) - A new poll from University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital finds that one in two mothers and one in three fathers set resolutions about improving their parenting. This includes everything from having more patience, to cooking healthier meals and being more consistent with discipline.
“The targets of goals that we heard from parents really can help both their individual children's health, but also the family functioning and the whole family's emotional wellbeing. When parents have more patience, they're less likely to snap it kids less likely to create that tense environment that, frankly, all families suffer through occasionally,” says Sarah Clark, M.P.H., co-director of the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. “So, parents can feel good about not only working to achieve their goals, but also knowing that it's going to help their kids.”
Nearly 75% of parents who set goals say it has helped them become a better parent and 85% believe it has helped their child learn how to work toward a goal. The poll co-director says parents can work with their children to set manageable and specific goals.
“Set a goal that is within the child's purview or control. So ultimately, the child may want to get a part in the school play or spot on the baseball team. That decision isn't entirely up to them. But the goal might be related to getting ready and going through the audition or the tryouts or improving at an instrument or an activity,” adds Clark. “And it's important for parents to emphasize the process, the work, the improvement, and not so much the outcome.”
Over half of parents with children between 11 and 18-years old say their child has set personal goals.
