New Year, New Opportunities!
New Year, New Opportunities for Playful Parenting
Here we are again—another year ending, another chance to reflect and yes… another New Year’s blog. I know, I know—“New Year’s resolutions” might feel "overdone" but stick with me. I promise this one will be different and, more importantly, it’ll be helpful!
Parenting is no easy feat, especially with young kids (and big behaviours) in the mix. There are moments of joy, frustration, growth and everything in between. As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the past year and think about what we want the next one to feel like. Not just for us, but for our relationships with our kids.
That’s why I’m offering a small invitation to you: take a few quiet moments to reflect on your parenting journey over the past year. You don’t need hours of free time or fancy tools—just a moment to pause and think about your relationship with your child.
Here are some simple reflection questions to guide you into the new year with clarity and intention (and let's be honest, this reflection can be incredibly helpful at ANY time of year regardless of when you are reading this post):
Reflection Questions for the Year Ahead
What moments of connection with your child brought you the most joy in the past year?
Think about the times when you felt completely in tune with your child. These are the moments of laughter, calmness or just being present together.What were the most challenging moments for you as a parent this year?
No need to have it all figured out. Reflect on the times you felt overwhelmed or unsure how to respond to your child's behaviour. It’s okay if you’re still figuring it out—this reflection is about noticing and learning.What are you most grateful for in your relationship with your child?
Were there any breakthroughs, big or small? These moments of gratitude can help ground you as you look forward.What do you want more of in the year ahead?
Connection? Calm? More time for yourself? Think about what you want your relationship with your child to feel like in 2025.What do you want to change or shift in your parenting?
Maybe there’s a behaviour you want to address differently or a mindset you’d like to change. What would make your parenting feel more aligned with your goals?What ONE small action can you take in 2025 to move toward your goals?
Big changes come from small, manageable steps. Whether it’s committing to more play, a new routine or a new response to big behaviours—what’s your next small action?
Your Action Plan
Once you’ve reflected, pick just one thing to focus on in the new year. This could be as simple as carving out 10 minutes each day for undistracted play or taking a deep breath before responding to challenging behaviours. The key is to choose something realistic, so you can start making positive changes right away.
Do you have a goal? I always encourage people whenever they have set a goal (big OR small), to TELL SOMEONE! There's something powerful in getting it out there and feeling accountable. So tell someone you know or share with our "Playful Parenting with Kristi" community!
What’s My Goal for 2025?
For me, it’s all about bringing more play into your parenting. Play isn’t just for fun—it’s a powerful tool for connection. When we engage in playful moments with our kids, it creates a sense of safety and security that helps reduce anxiety and stress. And when kids feel safe and connected, they’re less likely to react with big behaviours and more likely to regulate their emotions.
Play strengthens our bond and helps kids feel that they haven’t lost connection with us—even when things get tough. Through play, we can help kids feel grounded and, in turn, they can handle big feelings with more confidence.
So, as you step into 2025, I invite you to reflect, set small goals and bring more play into your parenting. Let’s make this year intentional, joyful and full of connection.
Remember: You are doing important work every single day, and every small step counts. Here’s to a more playful and connected year in 2025!
