Advice from a Family Therapist: Setting Goals as a Family this New Year
It's the time of year when families make new resolutions. This can be exciting for families. As it's a chance to create fresh goals and plan for a new year of growth and development.
However, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, or even intimidating to set goals as a family. You might have questions like: What goals do we make? How do we ensure that goals are met? So, in this blog, a family therapist in San Antonio, TX gives her advice.
Stop and Relish Being in the Moment
When making goals, it can feel like your focus is always on what comes next. You're constantly watching for the next milestone, the next event. But it's important to take time to stop and appreciate each moment of your journey. Remember that these moments will go by so fast. So take a moment to enjoy the small things. Whether it's cheering on your kid at their soccer game, or just enjoying breakfast together as a family. These moments are important. Set days where you can turn off the electronics, and just be present with each other.
Optimizing Important Moments and Making Space for Events
Optimizing important moments and making space for events is essential to ensure that your goals as a family are met. For example, if your child plays sports, is in plays, or takes extra-curricular activities, make sure that you're able to attend these important events. These are important moments to them and to your family. So make sure that you create a space in your schedule to attend these events and show your support for their passions. They will remember these moments for years to come.
Set Realistic Family Goals and Make Space
Just know that it's impossible to get it 100% correct. So don't expect perfection, but do work hard to make sure that you are hitting your family goals. But also, make room for mistakes. We all make mistakes and that's ok. We can learn from them, and use them as an opportunity to grow together as a family. For example, if you miss an important event due to a miscommunication, talk it out as a family. Think of ways that you can do better next time. However, know that there will be moments when your goals have been hit.
Recognize these moments and give your family the credit it deserves for achieving those goals!
For example, your child did a kind act and your partner said a kind thing – celebrate those moments! Celebrations don't have to be big. It can be as simple as expressing gratitude for one another. Or, eating a great dinner together as a family. It's important to be intentional and celebrate the small successes. This way you can think back on them when you feel like you could have done something better.
Highlighting What You Did Do Right This
As the new year approaches, take time as a family to discuss the successes that you achieved this past year. This can be fun to remember all the memories from this past year and it will help to bring your family closer. Celebrate the wins – do something special, like a game night or ice cream sundae night. Having this conversation and talking about all the great things that happened can help put your family in the right mindset for a fresh start. Doing this can also help you set goals for the upcoming year that you would like to improve on.
Just remember that these goals are meant to strengthen your family. So remember to have realistic and achievable goals. But, give yourselves room to make mistakes so you can all learn and grow. And don't forget to recognize and celebrate the small successes. These moments will be cherished for years to come!
Begin Working with a Family Therapist in San Antonio, TX
Setting goals as a family can be difficult. But, doing so with a family therapist can make it easier to break down the goals and ensure success. This way you can ensure that your goal setting is realistic, achievable, and beneficial to the whole family. If you're interested in working with a family therapist, you can follow these steps:
Contact our therapy office and learn more about our services
Meet with one of our therapists about parent support.
Start off your new year by setting achievable family goals!
Other Therapy Services Offered at Monarch Behavioral Health
Our therapists at Monarch Behavioral Health in San Antonio, TX know that setting family goals can come other challenges that you or your family may discover. In addition to family therapy, we offer a variety of other services that can help your family as well. Our therapy services include Anxiety Treatment, Depression Treatment, Trauma Therapy, Autism Therapy, Child Counseling, and more. We are dedicated to supporting the whole family through difficult times. Our therapists also offer therapy for children, teens, and adults of all ages. If you or a member of your family have any questions, feel welcome to reach out to our office.