Life is a balance of holding on and letting go. - Rumi

The New Year is often associated with starting fresh, meaning out with the old ways of thinking and behaving, and in with more effective thoughts and actions. Before moving forward, 

both the child and the adult must leave negativity in the past. This means truly letting go, not just pushing aside thoughts or actions for later. Children especially can release any harm caused by bullying so it does not affect them throughout the year and later in their adult lives. 

Here are a few tips on letting go than can help you and your children: 

• Set your intentions – Start by writing down your dreams and goals for the New Year. What do you need to release? What energy do you want to invite into your life going forward? Writing down your thoughts helps bring them to life. 

• Center your thinking around positive thoughts. – Use affirmations. Consider them like bubble wrap. When someone makes a hurtful comment or action, a positive affirmation can help soften the blow by acting as a mental defense.

• Be kind to yourself and others – Avoid being overly critical as this invites negativity. 

• Ride the wave of emotions – Experience or deal with emotions rather than bottling them up or pretending they are not there. 

• Practice acceptance. – Rumination is the act of continually replaying thoughts related to the past. It is associated with an increased risk of anxiety and even depression. When we practice acceptance, we intentionally let go of what is holding us back. 

• Manifest your future

• Influence your success in the New Year by using the power of manifestations. It is often said that where awareness goes, energy flows. This means we have the ability to create the future we want. Consider helpful tips such as journaling, redefining your definition of success, and using affirmations. 

• Journaling is an outlet for self-expression. Writing allows you and your child to work on forgiveness and healing. Use it to gain both clarity and insight on a personal level. It is a perfect way to process emotions without taking what you feel out on others. Sometimes it is not appropriate or possible to address conflict directly. For example, I started journaling when I needed to release pinned-up thoughts and feelings when I discovered my son was being bullied. The challenges I faced dealing with the school board were significant. Still, of course, I had to remain as professional as possible. Take pen to paper as a method of stress relief. 

• Redefining success and its misconceptions. Remember to avoid being too hard on yourself. Sometimes we tend to fall into a trap of self-sabotaging thinking. This means we may compare our level of success with others, become too cynical, or internalize the taunts of bullies. Redefining success helps build children’s confidence. 

The media, for example, would have our children believe that being a famous rapper, singer, or athlete is the only way to be successful. They also might believe earning straight A’s is the only way to be considered intelligent. Emphasize the importance of taking pride in their efforts and abilities. Help them identify what they do well. This means focusing on learning, growth, and resourcefulness. 

• Use affirmations and manifestation exercises. They are not only thought-provoking but fun as well. Affirmations are based on thoughts. They work by keeping our desires at the forefront of our consciousness. Manifestation exercises are based on actions. They include practices such as creating a vision board and scripting.   

Affirmations are an excellent weapon against bullying. Studies show that they help our children focus on their goals, enhance self-esteem, enhance compassion, and even increase emotional well-being. Check out my blog, Empower Kids With Powerful Positive Affirmations to download a free list of Affirmations. 

How to help your child excel in the New Year

Instill the mindset in your child that they have the power to make each day better than the last. I’ve created a list of 5 things parents can do to help their children excel. They include the following: 

1. Speak with your child daily. Ask details and do not accept one-word answers such as “fine,” “okay,” and “good.” Be direct with questions such as, “Who did you talk to today? What made you happy today? Did anyone harm you today? Get your child comfortable with engaging in dialogue with you. Listen intently and offer tips and suggestions on dealing with others when appropriate.      

2. Get involved at school. Develop a relationship with your child’s teachers and the front office. Put names on faces by asking about upcoming tests and projects. Showing concern for your child’s education and wellbeing lets staff know that you are an active parent.     

3. Put effort into prevention. Stay on top of the information your child receives. This means checking browser histories, messages, and emails. If we do not know what is happening, we cannot intervene when appropriate.   

4. Teach your child about healthy relationships. The sooner children learn how to communicate their boundaries with others, the better. Not everyone is or should be considered a friend, especially if they bring negativity to the relationship or display underhanded traits such as gossiping and backstabbing.     

5. Seek outside help. When it comes to bullying or changes in school policies, there is often a process like meetings, red tape, opposition, and more. These processes can make it difficult and/or time-consuming for schools to address particular problems. This means parents must seek outside inspiration and ideas to help their students. Try using both free and paid resources for things such as tutoring and effective strategies to help improve your child’s mental and emotional health

Also, be sure your child dresses the part of a victor. Check out the I’m Just Me shop to start off the New Year with fresh gear. Your child can make a statement without even speaking. Help them inspire themselves and others with affirmations and positive vibes such as “I am a Force” and “Challenge Accepted.” Select from affordable t-shirts, wristbands, and dog tags. 

Need inspiration?

Refer to some of the best New Year’s quotes designed to keep you moving forward. Write down your favorites to remember them throughout the year. 

“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written.” —Melody Beattie

“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” —Paulo Coehlo

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” –Plato

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” —Oprah Winfrey

“Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” —Robin Sharma

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” —J.P. Morgan

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” —Brad Paisley

“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” —Thomas Jefferson

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.” —Nido Qubein

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” —George Eliot

“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” —Vern McLellan