Are you interested in setting intentions with your kids but aren’t sure where to start? I share how to get your little ones involved in setting family intentions. Plus, read on to find 7 ideas for setting intentions with kids.
It’s the season of planning, dreaming, and setting intentions. You may have figured out how to set your intentions for the new year. But maybe you’re ready to get your kids involved in the process for your family. So where do you start?
I’m a planner both by nature and by trade. Planning is what comes out of me. I’m often quick to take on the task of planning events, trips, special occasions, you name it. But the flip side of that is I assume the burden entirely, without even considering to ask or include others in the planning process. Well, I’m learning to let go of that burden (something I’m practicing in my quest to live more intentionally and Prioritize Myself). And part of this practice involves including my kids in creating ideas and plans for our family.
Why Involve Your Kids in Intention Setting?
It goes without saying that intentional living doesn’t happen by accident. Beyond just planning activities, wouldn’t you want to set an intention for who you are as a family? You want to have a clear understanding of what the culture and environment of your home is. What your traditions, rituals and flows look like, season to season, month to month, week to week. And, as members of the family, it only makes sense for your kids to be involved in defining and setting those intentions.
Not only that:
- Kids are a wealth of fun ideas (just be sure to keep an open mind as they share, or they’ll quickly stop!)
- When kids contribute to a plan, they become more invested in it (like helping to prepare a meal)
- It gives them practice for planning the things they want, which means you won’t be forever stuck with the task
Okay, so maybe you’re sold on the idea of engaging your kids in family plans. But what’s next?
How to Start Involving Your Kids In Planning
My middle child is an amazing planner. She comes up with great ideas, understands the flow of events, and is great at delegation! She’s also three and an half, and easily distracted. So I have to remember to approach things differently when I want to set intentions with my kids.
Here are a few things I remind myself:
Start small.
Break down your activity into bite-sized steps and attempt only one step in a single session. Maybe you want to plan the family calendar together. Kids activity calendars are so fun (and even the toddler can put a sticker on a calendar page)! But rather than trying to get through the entire year in one go, sit down with your kids at the end of each month. Pull out your calendar and acknowledge all the notable dates in the next one or two coming months. Include holidays, birthdays, family plans, etc.
If you’re a meal planner (which I am not), have a kiddo stand in front of the fridge and name all the veggies they see as you write them down. Or ask for one or two meals they’d like to eat that week. Which brings us to the next tip.
Ask for their ideas.
The turning of the seasons is a natural time for setting intentions. They also offer great opportunities to get your kids thinking about traditions, as it’s easy to remember the sorts of things that happen during each season.
So as you begin your planning, ask your kids questions, such as:
- What do you like to see in this season?
- What do you want growing in the garden?
- What are you excited about in this season?
- What do you like to eat or cook during this season?
- What traditions do you remember and enjoy from this time of year?
- What’s something you wish our family did during this season?
Remember to have fun.
Though listed as the last step, first and foremost, be sure to make this an activity that you want to do. When your kids see you engaged and enjoying the activity, they are more likely to want to be a part.
This also means keeping the activity light. Yes, you want to set intentions that you genuinely care about. But your kids won’t be basing their self-worth on the outcome of the intentions they set (*ahem*). So it’s okay to take things less seriously.
Case in point: 70% of the way through my garden-planning activity, my 3.5 year old literally climbed into a box and took a sensory break. (And by break, I mean she decided to be done.) No big deal. I finished what I was working on and let her be. And to be honest, I love how both of ours turned out.
7 Ideas for Setting Intentions with Kids
So now you’re ready to grab your kids and set some intentions! What exactly does that look like?
Obviously, you know your children best. So keep in mind their ages, abilities and interests as you decide what intention setting activities to do with your kids. Here are a few ideas that I love:
- Plan the family calendar
- Dream up a garden
- Create vision boards – Check out this post from Cherish365 on How to Make a Vision Board with your Kids
- Plan a family adventure day or a celebration
- Brainstorm family theme days
- Create a meal plan
- Re-imagine your home or holiday decor
Conclusion
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that involving your kids in these processes will be a lot more work than doing them alone. But how else are they going to learn the fullness of what it means to live as family? To live with intention? And how cool will it be when they start practicing that intentionality on their own?! I don’t know about you, but that seems well worth the effort.
Now I want to hear from you. How do you get your kids involved in setting intentions for your household? Share your tips and ideas the comments.
For ideas on setting your own personal intentions, check out my previous posts:
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