Parenting with Purpose: Values, Vision, and Victories – How Did 2023 Measure Up?

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It’s that time of the year when lots of people make resolutions that according to research they give up within one to six weeks of starting, and many of their resolutions are repeated year after year!

I’m trained in NLP by the well known American author, coach and speaker Tony Robbins who says:

“Quality questions create a quality life. Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.”

If we want growth and change as parents, we have to get good at asking the right questions and creating a habit out of self-reflection.

Here Are 6 Benefits Of  Asking Yourself Some ‘Pause to Ponder’ Questions 

Sometimes how we think and feel about something is entirely different until we put pen to paper & get things out of our heads and see our thoughts written down.  Self-reflection and writing things down helps you become more objective.

Self-reflection and ‘pausing to ponder’  is a form of self-care and self-therapy. Growth generally happens where there is space and time to breathe, reflect and ponder. It’s giving yourself the gift of time to slow down, get honest & think about new ways to do old things.

 

Yearly self-reflections support you in celebrating your wins, observing your challenges, and finding ways to overcome them.

It encourages you to prepare and set goals for the following year.

It assists you in seeing clearly. It helps you know if you were living in alignment with your year’s vision and overall life’s vision.

It’s also a tool to pinpoint priorities for the following year and simplify your next year ahead if needed.

End-of-year parent coaching questions can help you reflect on your experiences, assess your parenting strategies, and set goals for the upcoming year.

Here are some questions that can guide the coaching conversation that I work through with my 1-2-1 clients: Book Here

Reflection on the Past Year:

What are the most cherished memories or moments you’ve had with your children this year?

How have you handled the challenges and stressors that parenting brought this year?

In what ways have you seen your children grow or change over the past year?

What were some successful parenting strategies or approaches that worked well for your family?

Were there any specific situations or issues that were particularly challenging, and how did you navigate them?

Parenting Goals and Values:

What values are most important to you as a parent, and how have you incorporated them into your parenting practices?

Do you feel that your parenting goals align with the values you want to instill in your children? If not, what adjustments would you like to make?

Are there any new parenting goals or priorities you would like to set for the coming year?

Communication and Connection:

How would you describe the communication and connection you have with your children?

What intentional steps have you taken to strengthen your relationship with each child?

Are there any communication challenges or misunderstandings that you would like to address or improve upon?

What activities or rituals have you found to be effective in fostering a sense of connection within your family?

Balancing Responsibilities:

How satisfied are you with the balance between your parental responsibilities and personal or work commitments?

What self-care practices have you prioritised, and how have they contributed to your overall well-being?

Are there any adjustments you’d like to make to create a healthier balance in the coming year?

Support and Resources:

In what ways have you sought support from others in your parenting journey?

Are there specific areas where you feel you could benefit from additional resources or guidance?

How do you involve and coordinate with your co-parent or support network in raising your children?

Learning and Growth:

What have you learned about yourself as a parent over the past year?

What parenting books, articles, or resources have you found valuable, and are there others you’d like to explore in the future?

These questions aim to encourage you to reflect on your parenting journey, celebrate successes, and identify areas for growth. They also provide an opportunity to set positive intentions and goals for the upcoming year.

Here are some more coaching questions that can guide your reflection and planning in other areas of your life:

Reflection on the Past Year:

What are your top three accomplishments from this year?

What were the most significant challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

What have you learned about yourself and your work habits over the past year?

What feedback have you received from colleagues, clients, or team members, and how do you plan to incorporate it into your development?

What goals did you set for yourself at the beginning of the year, and to what extent were they achieved?

How have you contributed to the team’s success and collaboration over the past year?

Looking Ahead to the Next Year:

What are your key priorities and goals for the upcoming year?

How do these goals align with your long-term career objectives?

What new skills or knowledge do you want to acquire in the coming year?

What steps will you take to overcome any challenges you anticipate in reaching your goals?

Are there any specific areas where you would like additional support or resources to help you succeed?

What changes or adjustments do you want to make in your work habits, strategies, or approaches in the coming year?

Personal and Professional Development:

How do you plan to continue your professional development in the coming year?

What books, courses, or resources do you plan to explore to enhance your skills and knowledge?

In what ways do you want to grow personally and professionally over the next 12 months?

Work-Life Balance:

How satisfied are you with your work-life balance, and what changes, if any, do you want to make in the coming year?

What activities or habits contribute positively to your well-being, and how can you incorporate more of them into your routine?

Team and Collaboration:

How can you contribute to a more positive and productive team culture in the coming year?

What steps can you take to improve communication and collaboration with your colleagues?

In what ways do you plan to support the professional development of your team members?

These questions are just a starting point and can be customised and adapted to your individual role, responsibilities, and your specific context. The key is to encourage self-reflection, goal-setting, and a proactive approach to personal and professional development.

 

Make the New Year your BEST YET 

 

 

 

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