“The New Year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written.” – Melody Beattie
We all look forward to New Year’s – it’s a wonderful time to celebrate, to reflect and assess how the year went and most importantly, to resolve and make amendments for the upcoming year. The New Year is for new beginnings and giving yourself a chance to all start over again. Many of us choose to make new year’s resolutions at this time to promise ourselves to change things that didn’t quite fare well in the current year.
So as I bid adieu to 2021, I’ve also resolved on making some changes in 2022. And this year, unlike the years before where I’ve mainly focused on juice cleanses, kickboxing lessons and monthly facials, I’ve decided to center this New Year’s resolutions on what matters to me the most – my family.
I want 2022 to be the year when I finally become the parent I always wanted to be and here’s what I’m planning to do:
Reserve quality one-on-one time for my kids
As hard as this one may be at times, giving your undivided attention to your kids is one of the most crucial things you can do as a parent to further strengthen the bond you have with them and for their mental well-being.
Set out special times during the day, even if it is only ten minutes where it is just you and that one child and do any activity that your child wants. Let them know how much that time means to you and how you’ll look forward to it on the next day.
Be more aware and present
This one is definitely necessary and will require some practice. With all the distractions around us, it becomes a challenge to be mentally present with our children even if we are with them physically.
This year, my focus will be on being more intentional, more aware of myself and know when my mind is starting to wander so I can re-shift my attention back towards the present and with my kids.
Eat together daily
When families eat together, they talk, laugh and de-stress which is great because it signifies that you value the time you have with each other. And eating doesn’t just involve the time when you sit down and eat but also the time when you plan out meals together, go food shopping together, prepare food together and even clean up together afterwards which all give you a chance to connect with your kids on a daily basis.
Turn off your gadgets
In this day and age, when we are so connected to the rest of the world, we are unfortunately so disconnected from our own families.
So, let 2022 be the year when we vow to limit our gadget use and give more time to our children and our relationships. Try to aim to get your gadget work done by a certain time of the evening and then focus the rest of the evening on enjoying your time as a family.
Use more positive words
The language you use with your kids can either make them or break them. In this year, try to be more encouraging and positive with your words so whatever you say to them uplifts them instead of bringing them down.
This will require you to again be more intentional and conscious of what you’re saying and how you’re saying it but just remember, your words matter a lot so choose them wisely.
What You Can Do Next?
1. Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get the latest information for parenting tips to help you create happier families. Plus, when you subscribe, I’ll also send you a copy of our FREE Survival Guide To Bring Balance and Calm Back To Your Home. Just be sure to add us to your safe sender’s list. tenille@emotionalliteracyacademy.com and keep an eye on your junk box in case it lands there.
2. Register for my FREE Training (for children 5 – 9yrs)
Register for my free training, ‘How To Bring Peace and Calm To Your Home & Help Support Your Child’s Emotions Without Resorting To Yelling”.
I will support you with some easy tips to help you and your family, as well as provide you with some potential solutions in a free strategy session.
You will get some great information but also if there is a fit you will be offered a spot in our Masterclass 6 Month Program.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Internationally Recognised Emotional Literacy & Mindfulness Expert Tenille Bentley is the founder of The Emotional Literacy and Mindfulness Academy and the author of the children’s emotional literacy books with Jazzy and Pinky and The Energy Ball. Giving children a wonderful introduction to understanding their emotions and what to do with them.
Tenille has been featured on Channel 9 News and other major outlets. Her work has been recognized in the community by The Governor of Western Australia, The Prime Minister of Australia, and Australian Financial Review.
As a child, she experienced severe anxiety and emotional traumas as well as bullying which left her feeling isolated and unable to understand why she was feeling the way she did. As an adult, this impacted her ability to make healthy decisions because she didn’t have the tools to understand her emotions.
This is why she is passionate about equipping parents with the tools to support their children to make better decisions in life and healthy ones to help support and create a balanced home life.
