As a Parent, is it possible to Enjoy a Stress Free and Happy Christmas with the Children and Extended Family?
The most wonderful time of the year is fast approaching, and it seems to have come out of nowhere.
Christmas will be here sooner than you think. It is a hop skip and a jump away. This holiday season can be magical, filled with wonder and excitement. It can be a beautiful time full of joy and love and mutual support, with the obvious gratitude and appreciation from loved ones warming your heart and making you smile. There is nothing better than feeling love, happiness, and familial warmth when the weather outside is cold and gloomy.
Unfortunately, the holiday season does not always bring a smile to peoples’ faces. Sometimes it can be a stressful time. The cry of impatient children (who are not your own) can completely ruin the thrill of the holidays, and it can seem like there are no options for a happy and peaceful Christmas because of the responsibilities you have to extended family.
You can feel exasperated and drained every Christmas. But this does not need to be the case!
There are ways to protect your sanity and enjoy the holiday without disappointing the children and extended family members. By planning well in advance and following these few easy tips you can make sure your holiday is better than any you have had before!
- Make sure to schedule some personal time during the more active days this season! It can be a total game changer to take ten minutes to yourself every once and a while to relax and keep a level head. Excuse yourself if you need to—you have to put yourself before others and focus on your needs if you want everyone else to end up being happy this holiday. You are just as important as they are, so make sure you treat yourself that way.
- Doing deep breathing exercises has proved to be a phenomenal stress reliever. The deeper the breath, the more your heartbeat slows down. This can keep your adrenaline from going crazy, and your brain will thank you. Breathe in for eight seconds, and then breathe out for ten. Do this a few times every day..
- Keep the cooking recipes simple and easy, or even order food ahead of time. By not breaking your back trying to make the fanciest dishes, you can devote more time and attention to things that aren’t so inconsequential. Sure, food is important, but the real charm of the holidays is supposed to be the gratuity and kindness of the family. Having exquisite meals is nice, but no one expects you to be a world famous chef. Unless you are, in which case, try to focus on something other than your job during the season!
- If you’re planning well in advance, you will make sure you keep your relatives up to date and informed about the overall goals and ideas for the holiday. They need to know what is expected of them, and you need to be perfectly clear. It is important for establishing your sense of self and making sure your holiday turns out as you have planned.
- Organise walks to the park during the day or adventures outside the house. It would be a shame if everyone began to get on one another’s nerves and there was nothing for them to do but sit and eat and begin to argue.
By making plans to keep everyone entertained, busy and keeping your extended family informed on “the plans” over this festive time, I can assure you that you can avoid unnecessary conflict. You will make this year THE most enjoyable stress-free and happy Christmas with the children and extended family.