Cheers to you!! As we approach 2024, I take a moment to reflect on what 2023 was and where I hope to go in 2024. One thing absolutely stands out - YOU! I am so thankful for you all! As we prepare to start this new year, check some of my favorite affirmations! (These may be extra handy as we have all been with these kiddos extra over the last 1-2 weeks lol.) I hope 2024 brings you absolutely wonderful things!
Ten affirmations for parents as we start a new year:
I am open to new possibilities and growth as a parent.
I approach parenting with curiosity and a willingness to learn.
I embrace the joys and challenges that the new year brings to my role as a parent.
I am present and fully engaged in creating meaningful moments with my children.
I trust my instincts and make decisions that align with my family's values and well-being.
I prioritize self-care to nurture my own physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
I release perfectionism and embrace the beauty of imperfection in my parenting journey.
I foster a loving and supportive environment for my children to thrive and grow.
I celebrate my achievements as a parent, both big and small, and acknowledge the impact I have on my children's lives.
I approach each day with gratitude and appreciate the precious gift of parenthood.
I hope these affirmations help start the new year with intention, positivity, and a mindset of growth. Embrace them as reminders of your strength, love, and commitment to nurturing your children and yourself throughout the year ahead!
Let's Celebrate!!
Do your New Year's plans include your children this year?! Celebrating New Year's with children can be a delightful and memorable experience on a totally different level. Here are some fun ideas for celebrating, kid-friendly style!!
Food and Drinks:
Festive Snacks:
Create a snack station with a variety of kid-friendly finger foods like mini sandwiches, cheese cubes, fruit skewers, and crackers.
Celebrate with 'gold' foods, stars, and other flashy foods to set a mood!
Star Fruit
Cheese / Cheese Fondue
Add sprinkles! - Yogurt, Dips, and other foods can quickly be jazzed up with some sprinkles!!
Countdown Cupcakes:
Bake cupcakes and decorate them with a countdown theme. Use edible numbers on top and let the kids enjoy a mini countdown as they eat.
Mocktails for Midnight:
Prepare special non-alcoholic mocktails for the kids to toast the New Year. You can make colorful drinks using fruit juices, soda, and garnishes like fruit slices.
Personal piece - a good childhood friend of mine always had this! It was always so fun to celebrate with their family and our sparkling grape juice!
Serving regular juice in "fancy" cups or from a special dispenser can add enough of a touch! Don't overthink it!
Chocolate Fondue:
Set up a chocolate fondue station with marshmallows, pretzels, and fruit for dipping. Kids can enjoy creating their own tasty combinations.
Decorate Your Own Cookies:
Bake sugar cookies in fun shapes and provide icing and sprinkles for the kids to decorate their own New Year's cookies.
Explore New Year's Traditions!
One thing I learned when I moved from Ohio to Texas - New Year's food traditions in the United States vary across regions and cultural backgrounds! Here are some common food traditions associated with New Year's celebrations in the U.S.:
Black-Eyed Peas:
Eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is a Southern tradition believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year. Hoppin' John, a dish made with black-eyed peas, rice, and often ham or bacon, is a popular choice.
Collard Greens:
Often served alongside black-eyed peas, collard greens are another Southern tradition associated with good luck and financial prosperity. The green color of the leaves is thought to symbolize money.
Cornbread:
Cornbread is a staple that complements dishes like black-eyed peas and collard greens. Its golden color is associated with wealth, making it a fitting addition to New Year's meals.
Pork:
Pork is considered a symbol of progress and prosperity because pigs root forward when they eat. Many people include pork dishes, such as ham or pork roast, in their New Year's feasts.
Cabbage:
In some regions, cabbage is cooked on New Year's Day for its association with luck and prosperity. Cabbage leaves are thought to represent paper currency.
Sauerkraut:
The connection between sauerkraut and New Year's is particularly strong in certain parts of the country, especially in Pennsylvania Dutch communities. In these areas, it's common to serve sauerkraut alongside pork on New Year's Day. Pork is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity, and the sauerkraut is believed to represent wealth and good fortune.
Ring-Shaped Foods:
Foods shaped like circles or rings are often consumed on New Year's to symbolize the completion of the old year and the coming full circle. This can include items like donuts, bagels, or even certain types of cakes.
Champagne or Sparkling Cider:
Toasting with champagne or sparkling cider at midnight is a universal New Year's tradition in the United States. The popping of the cork symbolizes the excitement of the New Year.
Lucky 12 Grapes:
Borrowed from the Spanish tradition, some people in the U.S. eat 12 grapes at midnight, each grape symbolizing good luck for one month of the coming year.
These food traditions often blend cultural influences, family customs, and regional preferences. Families may have their own unique ways of celebrating the New Year with special dishes that hold sentimental value and reflect their heritage.
Activities:
New Year's Craft Station:
Set up a crafting area with supplies for making New Year's hats, crowns, and noisemakers. Kids can create their own festive accessories.
Balloon Drop:
Create a balloon drop using balloons and a large sheet or net. Release the balloons at the stroke of midnight (or an earlier time suitable for the kids).
Photo Booth:
Set up a photo booth with fun props and backdrops. Capture the memories with photos as a keepsake for the kids and their families.
Family Game Night:
Plan a variety of family-friendly games for the evening. Board games, charades, or trivia can be entertaining for both kids and adults.
Dance Party:
Create a playlist of kid-friendly dance music and have a dance party. This is a great way to get everyone moving and having a good time.
Countdown:
Countdown Clock:
Create a countdown clock or use an app to help build excitement as the clock approaches midnight. Consider having a "countdown practice" earlier in the evening for younger kids.
Sparklers and Glow Sticks:
Provide glow sticks and sparklers for a safe and visually exciting celebration. Kids can enjoy waving them around as the clock strikes midnight.
Remember to tailor these ideas to the preferences and age range of the children involved, and have a happy and safe New Year's celebration!
As we step into 2024, my heartfelt wish for you is to embrace the extraordinary beings you are. The love, wisdom, and warmth you share are building something beautiful. and fill so many with joy. May this new year bring you the unwavering confidence to recognize what an incredible parent you already are! You are absolutely amazing and perfect in every way, and I hope the coming days and next year unfold with joy, love, and countless moments of shared laughter and warmth.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for being you.
Happy New Year, with all my love,
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