Ah, the start of a new year—a time for fresh beginnings, bold goals, and the inevitable decision to try (and fail) to keep houseplants alive! As we step into 2025, it’s not just us adults who get to reflect and reset. This is the perfect moment to sit down with your little ones and ask them the million-dollar question: “What do you want to achieve this year?” Spoiler alert—their answers might leave you in stitches or scrambling for a training plan!
Take my son, for example. He proudly declared, “I want to be a runner!” Inspired by his enthusiasm (and perhaps a little overly keen myself), I set a goal to run the RAK Half Marathon. While he moved on to the next shiny thing after a month, guess who was stuck with the training? Yep, me! Lesson learned: don’t make their goals your own. Seriously, don’t.
Instead, focus on helping your kids set realistic and meaningful goals that are entirely theirs. Whether it’s learning the eight times table (and yes, I have a fun hack for that!) or trying out a new hobby, the key is to guide them gently without hijacking their dreams.
Speaking of times tables, here’s my favourite quirky trick for 8 x 8: “When eight ate eight, he was sick on the floor (64)!” Silly? Absolutely. But hey, if it sticks, it sticks!
The magic happens when kids feel a sense of ownership over their goals. Success isn’t about luck; it’s about clarity, purpose, and action. Teaching children to set goals and take steps toward achieving them will prepare them for life’s challenges—whether that’s homework, exams, or mastering the art of not losing their shoes on a daily basis.
Here’s how to kickstart your family’s goal-setting journey:
- Set monthly or yearly goals together. These could be as simple as reading more books or as ambitious as learning a new skill. The important part is to make them their
- Break it down into manageable steps. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will their knowledge of fractions. Small, consistent actions lead to big results.
- Celebrate progress—big or small. Did they finally master the times table? Or read five chapters without getting distracted? Pop the confetti (or maybe just offer a celebratory hot chocolate).
And remember—this isn’t just for the kids. Whether you’re aiming to make career strides, dive into a passion project, or simply survive the school drop-off chaos without a meltdown, you’ve got this. 2025 is your year to shine too!
Now, as we wave goodbye to the glorious holidays (because let’s face it, they were glorious), it’s time to get back into the school routine. And yes, that means back to homework, projects, and for some of us, the dreaded countdown to exams. I know, I know—you might feel like you’re losing your mind while your kids lounge around without a care in the world. But trust me, they’ve got this. Even if it feels like they’re more interested in TikTok dances than revision.
This term brings massive opportunities. It’s the home stretch before those all-important exams. And if you’re in full-blown panic mode (we’ve all been there), here’s a little reassurance: exams are made to be passed. Your kids can do it—sometimes they just need a little nudge (or a bribe… no judgment!).
Oh, and don’t forget to check out the fabulous British Mums education events coming up this month. I’ll be there, and I’d love to meet you all, answer your questions, and share a cuppa. This week, I met a lovely mum homeschooling her twins—absolute superhero status! Life will always throw challenges our way, but rising to meet them head-on? That’s where the magic happens.
Let’s remind our children that school is within their reach and exams aren’t insurmountable mountains. And if you’re counting down to the next holiday… well, aren’t we all? But until then, let’s make 2025 the year we rock this whole parenting, education, and life thing.
Cheers to growth, learning, and success—for both kids and parents alike!