When parents think of their children’s habits, they usually think about the things that drive them crazy. But habits can be positive, too.

Habits are automatic actions that take no conscious thought. For example, you probably don’t have to think about what you do first thing in the morning. Brushing your teeth and taking a shower are habits you’ve developed over the years.

On the first of the month, you’ve probably developed the habit of paying bills. If you wait longer than a day or two, you’ll probably feel something nagging at you to get this job finished.

As parents, one of our most important responsibilities is to help our kids develop positive habits. Here are some suggestions.

• Don’t try everything at once. Remember the year you made 15 New Year’s resolutions? By February, you had given up on most of them. Your kids are the same. Choose only a few habits for your kids to develop.
• Make sure your kids are involved. After all, you are trying to change their habits. Talk with them about what you’re trying to do. Let them know that positive habits can make their lives easier and more pleasant.
• Allow 21 days. Experts have discovered that if you repeat an action every day for 21 days, it will become a part of your subconscious mind. So for the next 21 days, make sure your kids act on their new habit. After that, they’ll find they’re doing it automatically.

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