Celebrate the New Year by building family connections
The beginning of a new year allows you as the parent to create some new intentions for your family. There is something about “beginnings” that produce a sense of hope that may have been lost along the way. I say take FULL advantage of that feeling and start 2023 with positivity and lightness.
Here are five super easy ways you do that now!
Closet Cleanup: Set a timer for 30 minutes, put on some music, and have your family start a “scavenger hunt” for clothes that they no longer need or wear. Creating games for younger ones is a great way to get them invested.
Quick easy rules to follow: if it has holes or you won’t wear it, you don’t donate it; If something no longer fits or you haven’t worn in six months-donate it.
Create a Family Bucket List: Have each family member write down five things they want to try and experience during the year. Choose 2-3 from the list and create a master family list. Put that list in a visible space and prioritize crossing things off that list when possible.
Give Back: Nothing brings a family together like the gift of giving back. Spend a little time researching a charity (or charities) that your family would like to support throughout the year. This doesn’t have to mean a financial contribution, but if you can do that then do. The donation of TIME to these organizations is an amazing way to teach your children about empathy.
Our family chooses three organizations every January and we schedule in monthly volunteer opportunities for them or set aside a percentage of our allowances to be donated at the end of the year. Our Greenlight debit accounts allow us to divide my children’s weekly allowance this way. The bonus is they are learning about money management as well. Here is a LINK for more information on Greenlight Card for you child, if you are interested.
Create a New Routine: Always running late, feeling overwhelmed, running out of time at the end of the day to do the things you WANT to do? Now is a great time to evaluate what is working for your family and what isn’t. Spend some time looking at how to make things more efficient and less frenzied for your family’s daily routine. When you get the kids involved in the process, it could mean the difference between them ignoring or actually embracing the change.
Gratitude Jar: We talk a lot about gratitude and the effects it has on your overall mental and physical health. A gratitude jar is a tangible way to create the opportunity for your family to express that gratitude. Have each of your family members write down something they are grateful for, then put it in the jar. The goal is to do this whenever you feel grateful throughout the year. At the end of the year, spend some time reading everything you put in the jar during the year. This will bring back good memories, good feelings, and build on your family connections.
Share the Gift of EMERGE with others: I am going to add a shameless sixth one here. We work to bring you content that will benefit you and your family. Our hope in 2023 is that we can continue to grow and provide that content to as many people as we can. So, please take a moment as you read this to SHARE our Facebook or Instagram page with your friends!!
Emerge Consulting Solutions | McLean VA | Facebook
Emerge Consulting Solutions (@emergeconsultingsolutions) • Instagram photos and videos