Cultivating Calm and Connection in Busy Seasons
As we wrap up Halloween and head towards Thanksgiving and Christmas, the busy season has begun! This time of year doesn’t have to bring chaos with it. Here are a few easy family rituals that will bring calm back into your home.
Small Moments of Meaningful Connection
The emphasis here is on small and meaningful. These are not meant to be extravagant or grand but rather interwoven into the framework of our daily lives. These may look like conversation starters and often are rituals that occur at the same time of day, such as at the dinner table.
● Nine Minute Magic is a parenting concept focused on providing quality interactions at key moments throughout the day - three minutes when your child first wakes up, three minutes after school, and three minutes before bed
● Cherry & Pit is an easy visual for children to share the highs and lows of their day.
● Three Questions is a great extension of Cherry & Pit for older children (ages 5+) and is adapted from Sahil Bloom’s Five Types of Wealth:
○ What is one win you had today?
○ What is something that is challenging you right now?
○ What are you grateful for at this moment?
Weekly Ritual
Create an easy weekly ritual that everyone can look forward to, such as going to the library to pick out new books to read together before bed or having a pizza and movie night as a family. Weekly family rituals provide stability and a strong sense of belonging, fostering stronger family bonds and increasing overall well-being.
Take a Family Walk
Many children, and especially boys, feel more comfortable opening up when not making direct eye contact. Try using one of the above connection suggestions while going for a walk, throwing around a ball, or chatting while in the car. The combination of movement and fresh air is a recipe for restoration for the whole family. Nature is the essential reboot - it reminds us to slow down, notice the small things, and amazes us with its transformation over time.
Saying No to Say Yes
It seems counterintuitive, but sometimes it's necessary to say no to some things in order to say yes to the things that matter most. Each commitment you accept takes time and energy. By declining requests that don't align with your values, you make space for the things that are truly important, allowing you to avoid burnout, maintain healthy boundaries, and build more authentic relationships.
We can do anything, but not everything (or at least, not all at once!) The last thing we need during a busy season is more to do - that does not create calm. Choose where you will start. Where is the small moment in the day that you can find a connection? What is the weekly ritual that can bring your family together? Stay consistent.
Staying connected during busy seasons of life enriches life for the whole family. Small moments can have a big impact when we are intentional about creating the rituals for them to flourish. Not only can these routines restore calm in your home during the chaos of the holiday season, but they will also encourage communication and create lasting memories. You’ve got this!