Hello 2023 - A Note from Our Founder

On setting intentions and the *how* of getting through the day-to-day. Learn better. Play smarter. | [View this email in your browser]( Parenting made simpler. Written by experts. Designed for intentional parents. Hello 2023! Ready to Learn, Ready to Play There is always something exciting about the New Year - about the chance to refocus with new intentions, new choices and renewed optimism. I’m taking a page from how I teach my children to make intentions and making two of my own this year that I thought I’d share. - Find magic and joy in the unexpected - and that means approach risk-taking as a habit, make room in my life to be open (i.e., plan less, schedule less to allow for the unexpected) and have a lighter mindset (so that I can appreciate that unexpected). - Like when I saw my 9-year-old open an e-book with his nose this week. At first I thought, "Why on earth…?!", then I burst into giggles when he explained. "It said, 'Swipe down'. But my hands were busy holding it, so I thought, 'What if I used my nose?'" It reminded me how very wonderful and lighthearted childhood curiosity is. I want to keep seeing the world through that lens of "What if?" - Commit to Special Time with each of my children. (This one honestly came from my three kids; Special Time once a month with only one child.) It can be anything from walking to the post office together, listening to frogs croak at dusk or going to get a donut. The what doesn’t matter. It’s about them knowing that come what may, I'm making space for them individually - even if it’s just 15 minutes. - Like when I spent yesterday afternoon braiding a stuffed unicorn’s tail. Amidst the plaiting, I had VIP access to the magical inner workings of my 5-year-old and how she understands the world. It reminded me that Special Time doesn’t have to be a grand event - it just has to be. I want to keep that active listening going. (Also, I want to keep seeing the world through the eyes of a Kindergartener and dreamy unicorns!) Through both of these personal intentions, there is a running theme of how to be, not what to be. And I’m also carrying that through for Plinkit this year. Through our many parent education speaking engagements, I’ve come to realize that what makes us particularly good at what we do is our ability to tie together a multitude of child development concepts in a simple, actionable way that connects with the realities of parents and teachers. It’s in the how. So this year, we’re going to go deeper on that how (Plinkit Pro members, that means more of our coveted 1:1 Office Hours), share fresh perspectives from around the world and increase supporting developing communities. If you haven't brought our Plinkit masterclasses to your workplaces or schools yet, now's the time - new year, new parenting choices. (Just [email us here](mailto:hello@myplinkit.com).) In my conversations with friends, family and many of you, I hear how the last few years have shifted perspectives and priorities. I get that. The best part of a new year is the euphoria of possibility, and the best part of setting intentions (not resolutions - there’s a difference) is they allow for growth, mistakes and iteration. So join me, please, in sharing your personal parenting intentions and let’s support one another through them. (Here's a [printable for a structured approach]( if you'd like to write them down.) You can also read our step-by-step guide below on how to set family intentions and our ever-popular staples that guide the how of day-to-day. Hello 2023 - we’re ready to learn and ready to play! Cheers, mailto:hello@myplinkit.com Founder, Plinkit PLINKIT POST [How to Set 'Intentions' (vs. Resolutions)]( Share a lighter, yet deliberate, way of framing new beginnings, attitudes and choices with your child. How we keep it doable and routine. [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2020%2F01%2Fhow-to-set-intentions-vs-resolutions-new-beginnging%2F) [Share]( PLINKIT POST [How to Create Family Agreements]( A step-by-step guide to implementing this research-based approach to establishing positive behaviors, individual accountability and community responsibility in your home. [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2019%2F01%2Fhow-to-create-family-agreements-respectful-rules-with-kids%2F) [Share]( PLINKIT POST [Bring Peace to Your Mornings - Make a Routine Chart]( Successfully implement a routine chart so that mornings aren’t fire drills. Pro tip: It’s not about the chart. It’s about how the chart is used. [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2017%2F08%2Fbring-peace-mornings-make-morning-routine-chart%2F) [Share]( PLINKIT POST [Transitions - How to Get Through Peacefully]( Discover the strategies teachers use to effectively help children move from one activity to the next. [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2018%2F06%2Ftransitions-part-2-peacefully-get-transitions%2F) [Share]( PLINKIT POST [Raise Responsible Children - Introduce Chores]( Doing chores as early as ages 3 or 4 is the best predictor of success in young adulthood. Here's a game plan for making chores an every day habit. [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2017%2F08%2Fintroduce-chores-child%2F) [Share]( PLINKIT POST [An Awesome Approach to Allowance]( Save, spend, give, invest. How to create an allowance system that empowers your child to experience the process of financial decision-making. [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2017%2F09%2Fawesome-approach-allowance%2F) [Share]( PLINKIT POST [How to Get Your Child to Practice]( How to reframe 'practice' into your child’s routine, and when you can expect your child to practice without prompting. [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2018%2F01%2Fget-child-practice%2F) [Share]( Be a Plinkit Pro Thank you for reading! This newsletter is made possible through Plinkit Pro membership support. Please consider being a [PLINKIT PRO]( if you aren't already, to enjoy access to all our expert guidance and events. No ads. No sponsored content. Just original, time-saving, practical insights written in partnership with the best child development experts. Or, [email us](mailto:hello@myplinkit.com) to find out how your entire school or workplace can benefit from [PLINKIT PRO.]( Learn better. Play smarter. [EXPLORE OUR TOPICS]( FOLLOW US: If you liked what you read, FORWARD to a friend! Our content is written in partnership with the best child development experts. No ads. No sponsored recommendations. 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