Top New Year's resolutions parents wish their kids would make

Cleaning their room still ranks high among a list of suggestions to children.

By Britt Olson MSN Living Editor Jan 3, 2013 5:33PM

Get a haircut and get a real job was George Thoroughgood’s parents’ advice to him. And several of his folks' further suggestions to their rebel son echo the top New Year’s resolutions parents want their offspring to make in 2013.

According to a study by K¹² Inc., an online education provider for pre-elementary through high school students, parents have a variety of recommendations for their kids captured in an interactive survey the company conducted in December.

Parents responded that 47 percent of them favor having their children keep a cleaner room in the new year. (It seems that the bedroom battle may be the longest running in our nation’s history.)

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Desires for kids to become more involved in school, eat healthier and be more physically active each accounted for 33 percent of support from responding moms and dads. Playing fewer video games, which may contribute positively to the previously listed goals, received 29 percent of parental votes.

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Other suggestions for children were to practice better etiquette, have better hygiene, text less and read more.

All seem like beneficial suggestions regardless of age, but it remains to be seen how many children will implement their parent’s advice.

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And then, just like the rest of us, how many will see them through in 2013.

But remember that things worked out pretty well for Mr. Thoroughgood, even though he ignored his parents’ counsel.

Photo: B2M Productions/Getty Images

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