The best way to set goals with your children is by modeling goal setting in your own life.

When you are teaching your children anything, remember, “more is caught than taught.” If you set an example for your children, more than likely, they will follow your example. So, let your children see you setting goals, and talk about what you are doing, what you will do to reach your goal, and tell them when you meet your goal.

My wife and I did something fun with our children to teach them to set goals. Once a year, on that child’s birthday, we took them out for dinner and asked them what they wanted to do in the next year. Some of the areas that we asked them about were grades, friends, activities, and purchases. Each child had their own notebook, and we wrote down what they wanted to do in the next year. Then, on that child’s next birthday, we would go back to the notebook and see what they had accomplished.

Remember, though, that if you do not set goals for yourself, you probably cannot expect your children to learn to set goals.

“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives. Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:1-3 (NASB)

“Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit." Proverbs 25:28 (NASB)