Choosing A Word For The Year
📖 Table of Contents
Choosing a word for the year felt like an impossible task when my daughter turned three. The idea of selecting a single word to guide our family’s journey for the next 12 months seemed daunting, especially with the chaos of toddler life. I had heard about the practice from friends, but I didn’t know where to start. One afternoon, while we were folding laundry and she was drawing on the floor with crayons, it hit me — we needed a word that would anchor us, not just for her. For the whole family.[1]
I spent weeks thinking about what word could encapsulate our hopes and intentions for the year. It wasn’t just about choosing something grand or poetic; it had to be a word that could be lived — a word that could guide our choices, our actions, and even our moods. I knew it had to be something simple enough for my daughter to understand, yet meaningful enough to resonate with the entire family. That’s when I realized that choosing a word for the year wasn’t just a parenting strategy — it was a way to create shared purpose in the midst of daily chaos.[2]
So we settled on ‘grace.’ The word stuck with us like a gentle thread weaving through every day. It became the lens through which we viewed our challenges, our progress, and even our failures. It wasn’t a magic fix for everything, but it gave us something concrete to return to when life got overwhelming. Choosing a word for the year turned out to be more than just a goal — it was a quiet, powerful way to build a sense of unity, resilience, and intention in our family life.
Why You'll Love This Approach to Setting Intentions
- It’s a simple, powerful way to focus your family’s energy and attention on one meaningful goal.
- It encourages reflection and intentionality without the pressure of complicated rituals.
- It helps your child understand the concept of purpose and direction in a way that’s developmentally appropriate.
- It becomes a shared language that can be revisited and reinforced throughout the year.
How to Choose a Word That Works for Your Family
As of August 2026, when we first started, I thought of words like ‘success’ or ‘happiness,’ but they felt too vague and unrealistic. I realized that the word needed to be something we could actively practice and return to. We brainstormed together, listing words that felt important to us — words like ‘grace,’ ‘kindness,’ ‘patience,’ and ‘courage.’[3]
I asked my daughter what she thought about the words we had picked. She didn’t understand the concept of ‘grace’ in the traditional sense, but she grasped the idea of being gentle with others and ourselves. We made a poster with the word written on it and hung it in the kitchen. We used it as a reminder and a conversation starter.
Choosing the word was the easiest part — the real challenge came in living it out. It required us to be intentional in our actions, to pause and reflect when we felt overwhelmed, and to remind each other of our shared word when we strayed from it.
Print the word on a large poster or write it on a chalkboard. Place it in a common area where your family spends time together, like the kitchen or living room. This makes the word a constant presence throughout the year.
Part of our Choosing summer guide.
The Power of a Shared Word in Family Life
‘Grace’ became our go-to word when we faced tough days — whether it was a broken toy, a missed bedtime, or a disagreement between my daughter and her brother. It reminded us that we could treat each other with kindness even in the most frustrating moments.
We started using the word in our daily conversations. When my daughter was being stubborn, I would say, ‘Remember our word — grace.’ She didn’t always understand the meaning, but she picked up on the tone and the intention behind it. It became a gentle reminder that we were all learning and growing together.
Over time, the word began to shape our habits and interactions. It wasn’t just about being kinder — it was about being more patient, more understanding, and more intentional in how we treated each other.
A shared word can turn moments of chaos into opportunities for connection.
How to Keep the Word Alive Throughout the Year
I made it a habit to revisit our word every Sunday. We would sit together and talk about how we had lived it during the week and what we could do better. It became a moment of reflection and growth for us all.
We also used the word in our bedtime stories. We would read books that emphasized the meaning of the word, and then talk about how it applied to our lives. This helped reinforce the concept in a fun and natural way.
I also created a small notebook where I kept track of how we used the word in our daily lives. It was a way for me to see our progress and remind myself of the power of the word when I needed it most.
Set aside a few minutes each week to talk about how your family lived your chosen word. This can be done during dinner, bedtime, or any other time when everyone is together and focused. It helps reinforce the word and keeps the practice alive.
“Choosing a word for the year felt like an impossible task when my daughter turned three.”— Choosing a Toddler Bookshelf editors
The Impact of a Chosen Word on a Toddler’s Development
As my daughter grew, she began to understand the concept of ‘grace’ in a more meaningful way. She learned that it was about being gentle with others, even when things didn’t go as planned. She started to use the word in her own conversations, which was both surprising and rewarding.
The word also helped her develop emotional intelligence. She began to recognize when she was feeling frustrated or upset. She would say, ‘I need more grace.’ This was a powerful moment — it showed that she was learning to manage her emotions in a healthy way.
In time, she started to use the word to comfort others. When her brother was upset, she would say, ‘Be gentle with him — our word is grace.’ It was a beautiful reminder of how a simple word can shape a child’s understanding of the world.
Choosing a Word That Resonates with Your Family’s Values
When we first started this journey, I realized that the word had to feel personal to us. It wasn’t about choosing something that was popular or trendy — it was about selecting something that truly resonated with our family’s values and the life we wanted to build.
I asked myself questions like, ‘What do we want to be known for as a family?’ and ‘What values do we want to prioritize?’ The answers helped us narrow down the list of possible words and choose one that felt meaningful to us all.
It’s important to remember that the word doesn’t have to be perfect — it just needs to feel right. And sometimes, the best words are the ones that come up in the middle of a conversation or during a moment of reflection.
🌸 Gentle Approach
This method focuses on creating a calm and reflective space for choosing a word. It’s ideal for families who want to take their time and ensure the word feels organic and meaningful.
⚡ Fast-Track Approach
This method is for families who want to choose a word quickly and efficiently. It uses a simple brainstorming process to select a word that feels right for the year.
✈️ Travel/away-from-home Approach
This method is designed for families who are traveling or living away from home. It uses portable tools and visual reminders to keep the word present even when you’re on the go.
👯♀️ Multiples Approach
This method is for families with multiple children. It encourages each child to choose their own word, creating a shared sense of purpose while also allowing for individual growth and reflection.
🔄 Regression Reset Approach
This method is for families who are going through a difficult time or period of transition. It uses the word as a way to reset and refocus, helping the family return to a sense of balance and direction.
| The mistake | Why it happens | The fix |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing a word that feels too vague or overly complex. | A vague or complex word may not resonate with your family and can become a source of confusion or frustration instead of a meaningful guide. | Choose a word that feels personal and meaningful to your family. It should be something that you can actively live and return to when needed. |
| Forgetting to revisit the word regularly. | If you choose a word and then forget to use it, it can lose its impact and become just another forgotten goal. | Make it a habit to revisit the word regularly. Use it in your daily conversations and create a weekly reflection ritual to keep the practice alive. |
| Choosing a word that doesn’t align with your family’s values. | A word that doesn’t align with your family’s values may feel forced or inauthentic, which can make it harder to live and reinforce over time. | Reflect on your family’s values, goals, and the kind of life you want to create together. Choose a word that feels meaningful and resonates with your family’s unique identity. |
| Trying to force the word into every situation. | Forcing the word into every situation can make it feel artificial and inauthentic, which can lead to resistance or disconnection from the practice. | Let the word be a gentle guide rather than a rigid rule. It should be used when it feels natural and meaningful, not when it feels forced or uncomfortable. |
Choosing A Word For The Year
Common Questions
How do I choose a word that’s meaningful for my family?
Can I change the word halfway through the year?
How can I keep the word alive throughout the year?
What if my child doesn’t understand the word?
References
- The Power of Word Choice in Influencer Marketing (globalyouth.wharton.upenn.edu)
- Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework - nysed (nysed.gov)
- Information Guide to the Foreign Service Officer Selection Process (careers.state.gov)
Cite this guide
Choosing a Toddler Bookshelf (2026). Choosing A Word For The Year. https://bookwiden.com/choosing-a-word-for-the-year/
Feel free to cite or share this guide.