Intentions, Puns, and the Sanity Maintenance Group: Ringing in 2026

Welcome to Episode 24 of On the Ground Parenting! As we stand on the cusp of a brand new year, hosts Sandy, Sam, and Kelly gather to bid farewell to 2025 and look ahead to 2026. Instead of rigid resolutions that often lead to a sense of failure, the team explores the power of setting intentions and aspirations that allow for progress without the pressure of perfection. The episode is filled with laughter and practical ideas for low-key New Year's Eve fun: Mad Libs Demo: The team demonstrates how this simple word game can result in hilarious, distorted stories—perfect for a family gathering. The Year in Review: Kelly shares a family tradition of writing a story about the year's adventures with blanks for family members to fill in, while Sandy discusses her "sanity maintenance" group's annual "Who Said What?" quiz. Intentional Pauses: The hosts discuss using the quiet time before school starts to reflect on which family activities to keep and which to shift to help the household function better. The team also highlights Bounce Back and Thrive (BBT), a free 10-week evidence-based resiliency program they will be offering online in the new year to help parents build their own strength and support their children through life's meltdowns. Connect with Us We would love to hear your New Year's intentions or your favorite "groaner" jokes! To support the show and keep our programming free for all families, visit us at patreon.com/onthegroundparenting On the Ground Parenting is a production of Muskoka Family Focus Parent Education Program. Happy New Year!