Day 12: Twelve Holiday Takeaways – Looking Ahead to a Bright New Year

In the quiet moments after the hustle fades, you can see it clearly—more confidence, more connection, and a family ready to carry these small, powerful habits into the year ahead.

The last string of lights has been hung, the gifts are nearly wrapped, and you finally steal a quiet moment with a cup of cocoa. Congratulations – you’ve made it to Day 12 of our journey! Over the past twelve days, you’ve tried new strategies to support your child’s growth, one step at a time. Take a deep breath and consider how far you and your family have come. Perhaps the holiday chaos feels a bit more manageable, and you’ve seen glimmers of your child’s confidence and calm shining through. You’ve built a toolkit of skills to carry into the new year, and that’s worth celebrating.

Let’s highlight a few key holiday takeaways – your personal survival kit for parenting with less stress and more connection:

1. Prioritize Connection over Correction: When things get hectic, remember the power of play and presence. A quick 7 Minutes of Connection (Day 7) can defuse tension and remind both you and your child that your relationship comes first. Learning and cooperation blossom when a child feels safe and loved.

2. Structure the Chaos: Routines and visuals are your friends. The Visual Family Calendar (Day 1) and that simple Night-Before Routine (Day 2) bring predictability to unpredictable days. Even during travel or big events, sticking to a few basic habits (like prepping items the night before) can anchor your child and reduce everyone’s anxiety.

3. Advocate with Confidence: You’ve gained tools to support your child both at school and at home. You know the five key IEP/504 questions to ask educators (Day 5) and how to create a focused study environment with the Focus Bubble (Day 9). Armed with knowledge and practical strategies, you are ready to guide your child’s educational journey with calm assurance.

You and your child have come a long way in twelve days. The true gift of this journey isn’t just the tips or printables – it’s the mindset shift. By focusing on connection, structure, and supportive strategies, you’ve shown your child that growth and learning can happen even during the busiest time of year. As the new year approaches, you can both step into it feeling more prepared and in tune with each other.

Reflection: Which of the 12 days’ strategies resonated the most with you? What changes, big or small, have you noticed in your child or yourself over this holiday journey? How will you continue to nurture these skills and moments of connection as you head into the new year?

If you’re excited to keep this positive momentum going, we’re here to support you. Sometimes a personalized plan or a little extra coaching can make all the difference as you carry these ideas forward. Feel free to reach out for a one-on-one consultation to start the new year with a clear, customized strategy for your child:

• Rachel at Allied Education – book a session at https://www.youreducationally.com/book-online

  
  

• Abby at Can Do Learners – schedule a consult via https://candolearners.com/about-us

Thank you for joining us on this 12-day journey. Here’s to a calmer, more connected year ahead – for you and your amazing kid!

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Missed an earlier tip... Find them here:

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11