Year In Review
🌟Weekly Inspiration🌟
As we wind down 2025 this holiday season, it's a great time to contemplate what you loved about family life this year and what didn't work. Find some quiet time this season to think about what you did well as a family and as parents, and what you want to set as goals for 2026. Usually, Lighter Touch with Leah ends with an "Ask Yourself" section for reflective questions. This time, let's ask our kids to reflect with us. The following questions invite honest conversations about what's working, what isn't, and how we can grow together as a family in 2026.
Ask Yourself:
What was your favorite meal or food memory we shared this year?
(Leads to: "What should we cook together more often in 2026?")Was there a time this year when you felt really heard or understood by me/us?
(Leads to: "How can I make sure you feel that way more consistently?")What's something we did together this year that you'd want to do again?
(Leads to: "Let's put that on the calendar for 2026.")Was there a moment when you needed support and felt like you got it? Or a time when you needed support but didn't feel like you had it?
(Leads to: "How can I be better at recognizing when you need me?")What was the best/funniest/most unexpected thing that happened in our family this year?
(Leads to: "What kind of memories do you want us to create together next year?")Was there something you wanted to talk about but didn't feel like you could? Or something you wished we'd made more time for?
(Leads to: "How can we make space for those conversations or activities in 2026?")What's one thing I/we did as a parent/family that made you feel loved or safe this year?
(Leads to: "I want to keep doing that. What else would help you feel that way?")Was there a time when you felt proud of yourself this year? Did you feel like we noticed?
(Leads to: "How can I celebrate your wins better—big or small?")What was hard for you this year? How did we handle it together—what worked and what didn't?
(Leads to: "When things get tough in 2026, what do you need from me?")If you could change one thing about how our family spends time together, what would it be?
(Leads to: "Let's make that a priority in the new year. What would that look like?")
Considerations on How to Use These Questions:
Don't do all 10 at once - Pick 2-3 for a car ride, dinner, or bedtime conversation
Listen without defending - If they mention something that didn't go well, stay curious rather than justifying
Write down their answers - This becomes a meaningful record and shows you value their input
Follow through - If they share something they want more/less of, take it seriously and create a plan together
Age-appropriate adjustments - Younger kids might need simpler language; teens might need more space to answer honestly
A Note on Recent Events
In light of the terrible news yesterday, the antisemitic attack in Australia, the school shooting at Brown, and the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife by their son…I'm sending love and strength as we all try to make sense of these events, which feel all too familiar at this point. When we are moved and shaken by these types of events, maybe it's an opportunity to get involved in 2026 in a way that feels hopeful and important. Maybe it's supporting a cause financially, maybe it's volunteering and getting active, and maybe it's raising kind children. We all have to do something to make the world better for future generations. ❤️
Signing off for 2025. Enjoy your holidays! Grateful for the readership. ⭐️
