The start of a new year is quickly approaching. How will you make the most of it? What are some ways in which you want to refresh things?
I like to view January as a time to reset things. Yes, it’s the beginning of a new calendar year, so everything feels fresh, new, and hopeful. But if you have kids, January can also be the time of year to slow down and assess how you’d like the rest of the year to go.
Fall activities are over, and spring activities have yet to begin. Now, I’m not saying you have nothing to do – but maybe things aren’t quite as chaotic in January as they are during other times of the year.
That’s why January can be the perfect time to sit down as a family (or on your own) and think about some goals and aspirations for the coming year. Maybe you’ve wanted to start volunteering with your kids, eat more dinners together, or save up for a big summer vacation.
Whatever it is, this is a great time to take stock of your future plans.
Let’s face it—since January can be pretty dark, cold, and gloomy, why don’t you plan a fun family night where discussing your near-future plans is part of the evening? Make (or have delivered) a special dinner menu, set up a fun dining experience—perhaps on the floor by the fire—and ask each family member something they’d like to accomplish this year. It can be something for themselves, the family, or both.
This is a great exercise in understanding how your children would like to spend their time in the coming year, and it can be a very eye-opening experience.
Most of all, take some time for a January reset. Slow down, breathe, and enjoy your time together. There can be joy in slow, everyday life. Remember, busy times are ahead, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be present in the moment, savoring each one.
