Creating Connection Important to You

Creating Connection Important to You   This year has been DIFFERENT. As the holidays approach this year the question is: What about the holiday season is important to you and your family? 

• Sharing stories
• Connecting with friends and family
• Sharing a warm meal
• Spiritual reflection
• Playing games
• Your unique family traditions

What is important to your loved ones and your children during this time? The answer might surprise you. So…how can you still have these experiences in a unique way – or do you all want to come up with a new way of celebrating?   You don’t have to plan it alone. Create a plan as a family – part of the fun is coming up with new possibilities! To help with getting the brainstorming started, here are possible shifts:  Find ways to show loved ones – or even strangers – some holiday spirit  Print off pictures of loved ones (i.e. grandparents) and create playful videos of them joining in family activities – and then later watch the videos with them  Learn a new skill or game together – from chess to knitting to new languages to guitar build a new recipe based on favorite family foods (mine would have to include chocolate &  peppermint) record your family singing and share with loved ones And some consistent holiday adventures:  Holiday lights  Festive music  Sledding, snow-tubing, or ice skating (if the weather cooperates)  Decorating a family tree/lighting the menorah  Hot chocolate with marshmallows  Creating handmade gifts  Watching favorite movies  Cooking & baking together It is okay for kids (and adults!) to feel disappointed when changes occur. Sometimes folks need to feel heard and validated before they are ready to shift their focus to what’s possible. You may  need to take a moment for yourself and your loved ones  to acknowledge the challenges of shaking up traditions. If you’d like additional support, please  reach out. It’s okay to have lots of different feelings – especially during the holiday season. A reminder that this year is also a time where many folks are struggling to put food on the table. If you are one of those folks, please reach out and we can help connect you with services that can help. And if you are a family that is able to support others during this time, how can you find a meaningful way to include your child(ren) with the opportunity to support your community? This year offers us the opportunity to reflect on what has been working well for us and what new possibilities await. Wishing you a Happy Holidays however you choose to celebrate. –Andrea Davison P.S. We’d love to hear how you and your family choose to celebrate! Comment below to let us know ~