By Dickson Tumuramye
As a family, we returned to Kampala from the village on December 30, 2021. We reached home at around 9:00pm. We were all tired and our children went to bed immediately after showering. Thirty minutes later, I checked in the boys’ bedroom and found our eight-year-old son still awake.
“David, what are you still doing up, yet you refused to take supper and said you wanted to sleep?”
I was impressed by his response.
“Dad, I am working on my new year’s plan before I sleep.”
We encouraged the other children to also make their New Year resolutions and write a 10-point plan. As parents, we were amazed about what they intend to achieve. Some of their plans were not clear, but we guided them to improve them.
The New Year is here and we all have life goals to achieve. Usually, it is adults who plan on behalf of the families. Sometimes, children are not involved in these plans yet they are the target beneficiaries.
Sometimes we think their views may not be important or they are still young. Some of the plans for our six-year-old girl are; working hard and reading her books and Bible as well as helping the needy. We asked her how she intends to achieve her plans and she was clear.
There is a saying if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. A good life doesn’t just happen. We must live strategically and orderly. Planning is one essential element in life. But most people don’t look at it as important.
Planning brings success. It helps you to be focused on what you desire to achieve in a given period. It gives you direction. Plans hold us accountable, regardless of age. Below are tips on how to help your child make plans.
Let Them Write Them Down
We all have plans in our minds but as it is said, one weakness of the brain is to forget. Plans have to be written down for reference. Therefore, ask everyone to plan and present their plans in a written format.
Smart Plans/Goals
Some plans may not be specific and realistic to be achieved in a period one is planning for. It is better the plans are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound). They should be clear, easy to understand, implement and achieve. Help children, therefore, to make good and achievable plans this year.
Involve Them In Family Plans
At the start of the year, some couples take a retreat to plan for their families or businesses. We do all this in the name of planning for our children.
These people are never involved in planning. They are not consulted even on simple things and are expected to follow such plans. Your children are old enough to tell you how they also desire their family to be, their personal dreams, businesses they prefer and they too have ideas they can add to the family’s bigger picture.
Please don’t take them for granted and neglect them if they are the primary beneficiaries. The success of your family depends on how you are raising your children. Make evaluations together and seek solutions from them. This will inform your next step of planning for many more years.
Attach A Budget
All plans come with activities and required resources to implement them successfully. This calls for budgeting which will help you not spend outside your plans except where adjustments are inevitable.
Make Priorities, Take Action
They may have many plans for their life or this year which is okay. But of the many, let them prioritise first things first. Ask them to rank their plans according to importance and desire. For example, among students, academic excellence may be top. When all planning is done tell them to take action and implement the plans according to their timeframe. Keep them accountable!
Personal Values, Mission
As you teach your children to plan, develop their personal core values, vision and mission. Life without a vision is life without hope. A child with a clear vision, mission sets good goals for the future and works hard to achieve them.
Personal values serve as guiding principles to our actions and decisions. As a foundation is to a lasting house, core values are instrumental in our decisions, actions, and shaping our behaviour. That is why Joseph was able to overcome pressure from Potiphar’s wife because he stood his ground according to his belief (Gen. 39:8-9).
Commit Plans to God
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Whatever plans we make, it is God who fulfils them (Proverbs 16:3, 9, Psalm 37:5). Unless the Lord builds the city, the builders labour in vain (Psalm 127:1). Therefore, put God first in everything you do, we will also do it for you. Happy New Year 2022! The writer is a child advocate, parenting coach, marriage counsellor, and founder – Men of Purpose mentorship programme.
Teach Them to Dream Big
Big dreams motivate your children to work hard and plan well for their future. Ask them what they intend to do in future, how will they achieve their dreams, what resources do they need/have, which people can help them reach their goals. It doesn’t cause harm to have children with big visions. Again, your guidance in ensuring that your child has realistic dreams comes in handy. This will motivate them to start the planning process for their future.
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