Can you believe it's already December? 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 to help busy parents survive (and maybe enjoy!) the next month:
1. Break the tasks down into smaller ones and get started. Even if it is just getting out some boxes of lights 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 Moms 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 Mom than a crazy Supermom.
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 holiday cards and invitations. Get recipes and gifts 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.
Doone Estey, Certified Parent Educator, Speaker, Partner, Parenting Network
Here are some ideas to help busy parents survive (and maybe enjoy!) the next month:
1. Break the tasks down into smaller ones and get started. Even if it is just getting out some boxes of lights 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 Moms 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 Mom than a crazy Supermom.
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 holiday cards and invitations. Get recipes and gifts 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.
Doone Estey, Certified Parent Educator, Speaker, Partner, Parenting Network
