And so 2025 is ending. What a year it has been.

A 9 in numerology, the number of completion.

A snake year (not quite over yet – that’s February time), the shedding of old skin.

A wood year, for personal growth, learning and nurturing.

As a parent of young kids, celebrating New Year’s Eve probably doesn’t look like massive parties or midnight countdowns, but that doesn’t mean we can’t mark the occasion. In fact, to me, it means we can toast the new calendar year with more perspective and gentleness because there’s no party to rush to.

So, here’s what I’m doing to ring in the new year, it’s a 3 minute practice (per child) but you can set your own timer or free flow depending on what works for you. You may want a journal but don’t need one.

• Think about your child. Bring their smile, laugh, love, joy, compassion, all the beautiful things to life in your mind. Picture this version of them – and out loud or on paper (I prefer paper) write down your wish for them this year.

• Then, bring to mind all the hardest moments. The grumps, the attitude, anger, outbursts etc. Picture this version of them, and say aloud or write down your wish for them this year.
• Lastly, think about yourself. A year from now, with your child. What do you want to feel? How does your relationship look? Once more, say outloud or write it down, a nod to the year ahead in your parenting journey with them.

Setting these intentions for our children is powerful. Because doing so sets the stage for the way we will relate to them. It doesn’t take long, but it ripples out.

I do this for each of my 4 kids and then I do a collective one too, so it takes about 15 minutes altogether. Between everything, finding 15 mintues is still a challenge some days, but today, its a priority.

That said, it makes a point of being a great practice when you’re deep in the midsts of busyness and finding minutes is precious. So fingers crossed you can find a few minutes too. 

I hope you have a beautiful New Year. Thanks for sticking with me.

Here’s to 2026!

Xox Rohana