Mom’s Vibe
By Krystle J. Bailey
2021 is coming to a surprisingly fast close. As we ring in 2022 with the anticipation of new beginnings and a fresh start, there is much to be celebrated. For most of us, the days of all-night parties have come to an end. Early wake-up times and needy children have replaced long winter naps. Hours of dancing the night away have been replaced by pre-midnight bedtimes, and “sleepy time” tea has taken the place of champagne bottles. Motherhood changes our lives in a million ways, but it doesn’t have to mean we can’t have some fun with our little ones this New Year’s Eve.
Here are a few ideas to celebrate 2022, Mom-Style.
Mock Midnight
For younger kids, celebrate a daytime ball drop at noon. Pull up a YouTube video of midnight countdowns in the past and set the scene with hats, noisemakers, and sparkling juice. For older children, start an “It’s Midnight Somewhere” tradition. Pick an age-appropriate bedtime, then see what part of the world is celebrating the new year at that time. Count down to the new year along with people in a different timezone.
Celebrate Their Favorites
We all know how quickly our kids change over the years. Create a dinner and dessert menu or themed evening that honors the child that they were in 2021. Include their favorite foods this year, items from places they’ve traveled, and new things they tried in the last year. Celebrate the person they’ve become while talking about the year ahead.
Honor Traditions
Or Create New Ones
If you grew up with family traditions on New Year’s Eve, use a low-key evening to teach your children all about how you grew up and the history of cultural traditions. If your childhood did not involve yearly traditions, use this as an opportunity to create ones with your family. Whether it’s black-eyed peas for good fortune or opening all your doors to let out stagnant energy, find something that holds meaning, and begin a new tradition that your little ones can carry into adulthood.
Make A Toast
Pour the bubbly (or sparkling juice) and take turns making a toast to the year ahead. Ask your kids to note what they’re both thankful and hopeful for. Lead by example with a motherly toast of your own.
Create A Yearly Scrapbook
Break out the crafting supplies and create a scrapbook that can be updated for years to come. Fill the book with pictures, stories, quotes, and highlights from the last year. Ask each family member to add their unique contribution, then store the book for safekeeping until next year. As the years pass, you will have a beautiful family keepsake to look back on.
However you celebrate this New Year’s Eve, we wish you peace, health, happiness, and joy.
Happy New Year, Shore Local Moms!
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
