I remember the beginning of 2020 vividly. I knew it was going to be remarkable..and it has been. It just wasn't unforgettable in the way that I thought it would be. As I reflect on the year in preparation for the next year, I feel the pandemic's weight. The loneliness of not seeing our family and friends. The massive grief that comes with missing out on birthday celebrations and family traditions because of this virus. Our everyday activities have been put on hold to keep ourselves and our community safe. There have been some days that have absolutely crushed me as I watch children and families in our community struggle- my own family included.
But this year has also presented opportunities that I would not have had in a typical year. I'm grateful for my family's extra time together, and my kids' school's love and support. The school has been an inspiration and ideal model for having a growth mindset, being agile and quick thinkers. Teachers are bolding going somewhere they could not have dreamed of going a year ago. They manage to still show up every day, ready to receive our children in the most magical ways. We are lucky because I know this school year has been impossible for many families. Especially single-parent households or households where working from home isn't an option.
This has been a year of expansive learning for me too. This year has pushed me to do things I would not have even considered typically. Before, I would have even questioned the appropriateness of using video games in therapy with kids. I would have been skeptical of video games like Minecraft and animal crossing as tools and interventions for developing a growth mindset, social skills, and emotional regulation. The crisis has been the catalyst for a tremendous amount of growth in myself and my practice this year. I am grateful for the opportunity to relearn everything I thought I knew about being a therapist. It has been hard work. Admittedly, I did not feel so thankful at the beginning.
As a result of my reflection, I have decided that 2020 needs to be celebrated in a big way. While we already have some traditions, I want to make this year extra special. And since I'm doing the research anyway, I'm going to share these ideas to hopefully save other families the effort. I've decided to write multiple posts exploring possible themes that could be used to celebrate based on your own family culture and style. Ideas will range from safe, secure, and cozy to wild, risky, and out of the box! I hope that everyone will be able to find something from this series that will work well for your family.
For the family that needs cathartic release
I'm looking most forward to exploring these ideas with my family the most. I've collected some of the wildest traditions from all over the world and gave them my own twist. The ideas are going to feel risky for some families, but the rewards will also be high.
For the family interested in reflection and goal setting
The new year is such a natural time for reflection and goal setting. During this segment, I will share some resources that families can use to facilitate discussions and set goals.
For the family that spent their pandemic year in the kitchen experimenting
If you are the family that has kept yourself entertained by making sourdough bread and exploring new recipes, you might enjoy this section. I have found that food is a big part of New Years' celebrations in many cultures in my research. There are few better ways to connect with your family than working together in the kitchen.
For the family that wants to celebrate but sticks with a regular bedtime routine. Or family missing out on world travels.
This segment will include ideas for how you can have a full new Year celebration without staying up until midnight. Note: Some of these ideas will also be great for the family missing out on their world travels.
I hope these ideas provide you with some inspiration for how you want to celebrate New Years' with your family. Pick and choose the activities that feel right for your family. And don't be afraid to modify any ideas you see (here or elsewhere) to meet the unique needs of your family. If you want help setting up family goals that build a growth mindset, or if you need support building connection in your family, check out our family therapy page.