A New Year Reflection for 2026: A Letter to Parents

Why “Cleaning Up Toys” Is Where We Meet Our True Selves

Dear Parents,

Have you ever found yourself in moments like these?

Toys scattered across the floor.

A child’s voice rising to an ear-piercing pitch.

The same habits repeating, no matter how many times you try to correct them.

And inside you, a familiar spark begins to burn—something called anxiety, or anger.

At NIHAO, we don’t just support children in learning and problem-solving. We also want to share a quiet truth with you:

These chaotic moments of daily life are actually one of the best training grounds in the world.

1. Claim Your “Super Screen”

We often assume that the version of ourselves who feels angry or exhausted is our true self. But in reality, the mind is more like a “super screen.”

A child talking back. A room in complete disarray.

These are simply the movies playing on the screen.

Movies end. Scenes change.

But the screen itself remains untouched—never burned by fire, never soaked by water.

When we learn to watch the movie without being pulled into it, we discover something powerful: we are no longer actors dragged along by emotion, but directors who can see the whole picture.

2. “The Heart Is Present, the Wound Is Not”

You might wonder, “If I don’t get angry or emotionally involved, does that mean I’m ignoring my child’s mistakes?”

Quite the opposite.

When we practice “the heart is present, but the wound is not,” our sensitivity is fully on.

We hear our child’s needs clearly (the heart is present),but our inner world is not pierced by negativity (the wound is not).

Because we are not hurting, we don’t need to protect ourselves by shouting.

We can guide our children calmly and wisely—turning everyday moments like clean-up time into something both graceful and effective.

3. Finding Balance Through an Inner Compass

The calming glitter bottle we give children is, in truth, a compass for the whole family.

When the glitter is swirling, we practice noticing the steady awareness beneath it.

When the glitter settles, we guide ourselves back to inner balance.

That balance nurtures physical and emotional well-being, and it also brings harmony to family relationships.

4. Walking This Path Together

At NIHAO, we don’t see growth as something that only happens during lessons or quiet moments. We see every ordinary moment as an invitation to return to our true selves.

When you practice “not taking the bait” and “not being pulled away” alongside your child, you’re not just teaching them—you are growing with them.

The calm strength that emerges from chaos is one of the most precious gifts we can offer our children.

May we all become that clear, luminous screen—illuminating one another, and meeting every scene of life with presence, grace, and joy.

With warm wishes for the new year,

The NIHAO Team