By Dickson Tumuramye
We traveled back from the village after the Christmas festival and reached home at around 9pm. We were all tired and our children went to sleep immediately.
After 30 minutes, I checked in the boys’ bedroom and found our 8-year-old son still awake. I had to ask why he was awake yet he had missed supper.
“Dad, I am working on my new year’s plan before I sleep,” he replied.
It was encouraging to find out someone of his age making thoughtful decisions like that.
We eventually encouraged his siblings to make their resolutions, too, and write plans.
The year is still in its early months, and we all have dreams or things we intend to achieve.
Usually, adults plan on behalf of their families and 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 to plan.
Some of the plans for our 6-year-old daughter are; working hard and reading her books and Bible and helping the needy.
Proverbs 21:5: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.” Planning leads to success.
Ask children to plan
We all have plans in our minds but, one major weakness of the brain is to forget. Plans have to be written down for future reference and can be a reminder.
But when you keep them in your head, you may hardly remember everything at a later stage.
Therefore, ask your family members to plan and present their plans in a written format.
Guide them in planning
Some plans may not be specific and realistic to be achieved in a period one is planning for.
It is better the plans are very SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound). They should be clear to all, easy to understand, implement and achieve.
Thus, help them to make good plans that are very achievable this year with tangible results.
Involve them
At the start of the year, some couples like to have retreats to plan for their families or businesses.
We do all this in the name of planning for our families. Children are never involved or consulted in the whole planning process at all.
Even on simple matters, and they are expected to follow such plans.
Your children are old enough to tell you how they also desire their family to be, their dreams, and the businesses they prefer.
They also have new ideas they can add to the family’s bigger picture. Please do not take them for granted and neglect them if they are the primary beneficiaries.
Make evaluations together and seek solutions with them. This will inform your next step of planning.
Attach a budget
All plans always come with activities and required resources to implement them successfully.
This calls for the budgeting of such activities. You cannot plan to build a house without knowing the resources you will need. Budgeting helps you spend within your means except where adjustments are inevitable.
Teach them to dream
Big dreams motivate your children to work hard and plan well for their future.
Ask them what they intend to do in the future, how they will achieve their dreams, what resources they need, which people can help them reach their goals, etc.
It does not cause harm to have children with bigger visions.
Make priorities, act
They may have many plans for their life or for this year, but of the many, let them prioritize first things first.
Ask them to rank their plans according to what is more important and what they desire to start with or where a lot of concentration is needed.
Personal core values
As you teach your children to plan, teach them also to develop their personal core values, vision and mission.
Life without a vision is like life without hope and a future or a journey without a destination.
As a foundation is to a lasting house, core values are instrumental in our decisions, actions, and shaping our behaviors.
Commit to God
Proverbs 16:3: “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” Therefore, put God first in everything you do, He will help you do it.
The writer is a child advocate, parenting coach, marriage counselor & founder – Men of Purpose mentorship programme.
Email: tumudickson@gmail.com.
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