Tips to Keep You Sane this Holiday Season

Can you believe it is December 4th?  Are you ready?  Do you have a million lists running around your head and the nagging thought that there is simply not enough time to do everything? 

Here are some ideas, from busy moms and dads like you, to ease you into the holiday season:

1.     Break the tasks down into smaller ones and get started now.  Even if it is just getting out some boxes of decorations or recipes or buying some hostess gifts.  Take the first step to ease your way into the holiday spirit. 

2.     Make multiple lists: one for gifts, one for cards, one for food, one for decorating, one for charitable, one for seasonal and school events.  Prioritize and eliminate items as you go.

3.     Set 3-5 priorities each day, to be done in between putting out all the fires.  This way at least you’ll have done some of the most pressing tasks by the end of the day.

4.     Hire extra help.  If your children are older, consider paying them to help do things above and beyond their regular chores.  They can babysit, shop, wrap, decorate, cook.  If your children are younger, consider your friends’ university-aged kids who are home for the holidays and looking for part time work.

5.     Organize a shopping babysitting pool.  Together with a couple of friends, offer to host a kids’ play group while the other moms shop and then rotate so you get 2 afternoons to yourself.

6.     Do less.  A lot less.  Often parents will run themselves ragged trying to do too much and never saying “no”.  Don’t volunteer to bring homemade cookies to the class party just because of what the other moms will say.  And don’t feel guilty!  Your family would rather have a less accomplished, calm parent than a crazy Supermom or dad.

7.     Marshmallow Snowmen, Inuksuks and Igloos.  Unless you are really into them, never mind all those complicated crafts in the magazines.  Get some toothpicks, gumdrops and marshmallows and have your kids go creative. Use canned icing to stick on sprinkles, buttons, beads, ribbons or whatever other decorations you have around.

8.     Email cards and invitations.  Get recipes and shop online.

9.     Watch your party persona.  Don’t even think of overindulging in food and alcohol until the middle of December, when the season is in full swing, or January 2 will arrive with a vengeance.

10.  Be Mindful.  Relax your shoulders, take 10 slow deep breaths and do 5 different stretches every hour just to keep things in perspective and to truly appreciate the beauty and meaning of the season.

Our Holiday Sale is back...

For 2-weeks ONLY, we’re holding our special Holiday Sale on all of our Courses and products. The sale ends at midnight on December 20th, so go here now and grab Toronto’s best Parenting Courses at these great rates. Give the gift of family “peace and joy” all year round!

Parenting Network

416-944-0412