INSIDE: How to pick a family word of the year. Ideas for getting the family to rally around an inspirational word and focus for the new year.
This year we are trying something new. We are picking a family word of the year.
We were given this idea by a good friend, who does this each Thanksgiving when her grown children come to town. In their case, they reserve a board room at a restaurant and no one emerges until they’ve all agreed on a focus word for the upcoming year.
Impossible idea with littles! However you do it you though, here’s how to get your family to rally around a focus word for this upcoming year!
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How to pick a family word of the year
Our word for this new year is “respect”. This word is always in style!
We have the same challenges most families deal with like respect for each other’s stuff, respect for each other’s space, respect for each other’s time. And, you know, just being all around nice to one another! ????
We may never be that Norman Rockwell family (is anyone?!), at least we’ll be respectful …fingers crossed.
How to Select a Family Word of the Year
- Decide on a goal for your family for the upcoming year. Will it be to show each other kindness? Will it be less stress? More family togetherness? Better time management?
- Depending on the age of your family, order takeout one night and brainstorm inspirational words. Have everyone write down their top 5 words, or just shout them out to be jotted down on a large pad of paper. Cast a vote to select the word.
- Select a word(s) that everyone can understand. As much as I love the word “integrity”, I’m not sure my littles would comprehend. But, they do know what the word “kindness” means.
- Does the word you’ve chosen mesh with the family goal you’ve set? If it doesn’t, go back to the drawing board.
You’ve Picked a Word of the Year. Now What?
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- Print out and laminate the word and its meaning. Stick the word on the fridge where it can’t be missed, or place it in a picture frame to hang on a wall in a highly visible area of the home.
- Or, create posters of what the word means to each member of the family. Words can be interpreted differently for all of us. Place those posters in their bedroom, or create a Word of the Year gallery wall down a hallway.
- Use a trendy message board to display the word of the year. (Check out the one I made here…)
- Stuck for dinner time conversation? Talk about your family word of the year. How have they applied the word in their lives? How has the focus word made them more aware of their actions in their everyday lives?
- Just like any goal, check in with the family and make sure the word is working for all. Celebrate the victories as you look forward to a new year and a new word.
Have you ever chosen a word of the year? Does your family make resolutions for the new year?
Let me know in the comments. Cheers to a happy new year and a new word!
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These are great tips! Thanks for sharing at #DIDI
I haven’t decided on a word for the year yet…but I have quite a list going! Respect is a great word for families!
Shelley
I love the idea of a word of the year! I’ve never tried this personally but I think you’ve inspired me.
Thanks for sharing at Wonderful Wednesdays!
Thanks Angela! Fingers crossed it works, right?!
LOVE this idea! It’s so much easier to stick to any plan (including a word of the year) when the whole family gets involved. Also, sometimes it seems like our 7-year-old is more teenager lately with her attitude, too. Please don’t tell me that the tween phase starts at 7, now!
Thanks so much Leslie! We should start a support group for moms of 7 year olds!!
I really like the idea of a family word for the year Victoria. That way everyone in the family stands together and explores all the nuances of the word as a family. Wishing you and your family and loving and respectful 2017
Thanks Michelle! We’ll see how the word (and year) treat us.
Interesting. I usually pick one word objective for my blog each year because I like to keep things simple, but, to be honest I never thought about a word for the family. It makes total sense, though. We’ll have to come up with something…
Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Party, and happy new year!
Good luck with your word of the year! I think that this is a great idea to have a word and work on it as a family. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday
We’ve never done a word of the year, I’d be on board and so would our daughter but I think all the men of the house would think we’d gone a bit mad! I wish I’d thought to start it when they were little enough to just accept ideas like this !!
I love Respect for a family word, it’ll be applicable in so many scenarios. Maybe I could just have a personal word if I can’t get the guys to be interested!