Goodbye 2020 – Hello 2021!

Sue Patterson

I’ve heard it said in multiple places that in 2020, each day took forever but the year went by quickly. It does seem to have been a bit of a blur!

But some good definitely came from it and most likely some lessons!

Like... don’t plan too far in advance!

So while most of our worlds were turned upside down, many of us were forced to pay more attention to the Present moment - and to the little humans we spent each day with.

And that’s a Good Thing.

It’s something we want to remember and bring with us into 2021.

 

Let's Look Back Together

Lots of ways exist to do “A Year in Review.” I like to start with the months and fill in the highlights I remember. For instance, I tripped in my new Christmas slippers and broke my shoulder last January.

But in February, we trekked up to Colorado for the Unschooling Now conference.

February and March bring the majority of our family birthdays - I’d plug that in next.

Work your way around for the whole year. As other things pop into your mind, make a note. Add them into their month, or just in notes below your calendar months.

This tool can help you:

Grab Your New Year's Guide Today!

This 12-page full-color guide will help walk you back through 2020 to see where the growth was.

Yes, 2020 was brutal!
But kids (and parents!) need to notice the good things that happened right alongside everything else.

Included:

  • Prompts for each month of 2020
  • Identifying favorites
  • Journaling pages for kids
  • Journaling pages for parents
  • Links to more free and low-cost resources

Moving around all the months of 2020 blows the dust off of these memories.

What about your unschooling path?
Did you do anything differently?
Did you overcome any obstacles?

What was happening?

What were you discovering?

What were the kids enjoying?

Any interesting conversations or topics?

Just to name a few general ideas that popped up in our world - some may have had a big impact on your day-to-day life:

  • Social justice conversations
  • Talks about protests - or participating in some.
  • We had our geography as Coronavirus traveled across our country
  • Listening to Gov. Cuomo explain how it was affecting New York - even though most of us didn’t live there!
  • Photos of vacant streets and closed businesses
  • But also singing and music from balconies in Italy
  • Birthday party pivots (drive-by celebrators and other fun ways to share in the moment)
  • Figuring out how to use zoom - for work, for classes, for family get togethers.
  • Virtual field trips and story times.
  • Elections, voting, learning details about the counties of Pennsylvania and Arizona!
  • Holidays looked different this year too

 

Maybe this was your first year to homeschool and it wasn’t long before you saw that unschooling was a logical option for your family.

Or maybe you’ve been unschooling a while and discovered that the lock-down gave your introverted self an opportunity to take a deep breath.

Maybe you started a hobby or cleaned a closet or found an app to get you walking more.

Or maybe you learned how to connect better with people online.

Yes, we had lots of disappointment this year - for some of us, tragic losses.

But we survived!

And that’s the message to remind your kids - humans are resilient. Life throws curveballs. We can find ways to make things tolerable - maybe even enjoyable.

 

Many parents did this all year long. Their kids will look back and say,

 “Yeah, 2020. Covid. But my parents made our home cozy and pretty stress-free. Yes, a lot of togetherness. But it was ok.”

We parents may remember the squabbles and the cabin fever - but time heals all wounds. It certainly affects our memory. That may not be how your kids remember it at all!

Let them look back at their photos and the calendar months to remember how things went. What were some of their favorites?

  • Games
  • Shows
  • Movies
  • Books
  • Activities
  • Foods

It might be a good time to focus on some gratitude activities.

Celebrate living through the historic Pandemic of 2020!

And then we’ll lean into 2021 TOGETHER!

 

We can definitely wrap up 2020 the way WE want to.  We weren’t defeated by it!

And as you look back on some of these memories - you’ll see that Good existed right there, all the time.

I hope your unschooling adventures are full and rich and satisfying! I wish all the best to you!

 

Take care and we’ll talk again next week!

Happy New Year!

A few Unschooling Resources to help you:

I have a  New Year’s Pinterest board full of ideas for “Out with the Old and In with the New!” You can still create fun little New Year’s Eve celebrations with decorations, games, foods and fizzy drinks!

Grab your copy of the Unschooling Guide: Brainstorm Time and go through it with your kids. Look at the suggestions for activities you’d like to try next year. Kids grow and interests change. it's always good to see what's sparking their curiosity!

Or maybe the Unschooling Guide about Gratitude.

The Conversation Starter Cards would be fun too - on New Year’s or any day you'd like to connect a little more with the kids.

Brainstorm Time!

A 20-page Guided Workbook with:

  • 20 topics to explore or activities to add to the calendar
  • 20 mini-essays from Sue
  • Thought-provoking articles and videos for each topic
  • Additional resource links
  • Inspiring quotes for each topic

Gratitude Guide

In this Guide, you'll find:

  • Practical tips for how to make time for a gratitude practice
  • Ways to set up your home so you'll follow through!
  • Fun ideas to help kids focus on gratitude
  • Coaching activities to help YOU focus on gratitude
  • Worksheets and printables to help you and the kids
  • Inspiration and encouragement

Conversation Starter Cards

100 cards to create more connection!
6 Card Categories include:

  • Personal Growth
  • Funny/Silly
  • Family Connection
  • J oy
  • Technology
  • Community
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