Happy New Year Community!
It’s the start of a new year and many of us have a fresh outlook and goals in mind! Others are reeling from hectic holidays and glad to be back to regular programming. Or, perhaps you’re somewhere in the middle. No matter where you find yourself, today’s blog will speak to you.
How many parents have tried to start something new with their children; a new routine, habit or response only to be met with resistance and challenge. So often we return to our “old ways” because they are what we know best and where we are comfortable. Come to think of it, how many of us parents can relate to this on a completely personal level too.
New can be exciting AND it can be hard to sustain.
In the spirit of this fresh start to a new year and our belief in family centred well being, today’s blog dives into our top tips for introducing and using our products successfully. The number one thing we hear from parents; “how do I DO this in our already busy lives”?
Not on board with our products (yet!)? These tips will translate to any changes or additions to your routine you hope to make now or in the future.
5 Tips for Using our Products
- Introduce them as a family tool;
You know how you feel when someone tells you what you need to change? It can feel like you’re the only one, it can feel overwhelming, it can feel like something is wrong with you because no one else has to do this…. Guess what it can feel like to our kiddos!? Yup, the same! They’re humans too. When we introduce something new like “hey, we are going to do these affirmations to help you feel better about yourself” it comes from a place of love but it’s missing the connection, the “we” that children need to feel they belong. When introducing a new tool, try the family approach! Introduce it as something your family is going to do and why it’s beneficial for everyone!
- Build the tool or practice into a current routine;
Big changes can feel exciting and fresh! They work for some. When you’re dealing with a family of individuals and potentially a busy lifestyle, building onto something you already do offers your greatest likelihood of success. This might look like adding a gratitude practice to dinner each night by each person sharing something they’re grateful for that day or being intentional with praise and conversation on the way home from practice to develop a growth mindset.
- Practice daily to build habit;
A habit is something that is automatic and the only way to develop that is through repetition. If we want our children to learn a new skill we need them to practice it, witness it and use it every day! This is another way the family focus really lends to success. If it’s something your family does it becomes the norm much more quickly and supports parents in creating an environmental change.
- Cultivate connection by practicing together;
There are a lot of lineal benefits to practicing together but my favourite is connection. In a busy day where we feel like that hampster on a wheel it is incredibly grounding to spend quality time connecting with our children through joint practice. Spending 10 minutes at bedtime journaling or playing 5 questions regulates, connects and nurtures skill in both parents and children.
- Share why you love it;
There will be resistance. There will be days you kiddos say “nope, not today”. They’re human and we all have those times where we feel stuck and lack the motivation or drive to do anything. There will also be questions like “why do we have to do this!?”, especially when you’re first introducing a new practice or tool. While frustrating at times, this is the opportunity to share the why! How does this particular practice make you feel? What does learning this skill improve or help with? Most importantly, let them see you practice it and hear you talk about it even if they choose not to that day. Role modelling is our strongest tool as parents!
Bonus Tip!
Accessibility sets you up for success! If you’re adding affirmation cards to your day, make sure they are right there where you need them! If you are introducing journaling at bedtime, those journals should be visible and within arms reach. If you are talking about a growth mindset in the car, have a small card, poster or reminder for yourself. When we plan ahead and make things available we are far more likely to stick with them!
Children are greatly influenced by their environment so it’s up to us, parents, to create a culture that builds healthy habits, strong relationships and resilience one skillful start at a time!