Do you think back to when you were a kid at all the fun times of counting down the days until Santa came, making cookies with grandma, the excitement of Christmas Eve and wish you still felt that way? Hey, guess what, Mom? You still can. Being a busy mom I sometimes find it hard to actually enjoy this time of year. There is just so much to get done and everyone is pulling at you ALL. THE. TIME. I am guilty of having thoughts of dread when the stores start playing Christmas music in September, but this year, I took a step back and realized what matters most is the memories you’ll be making.
When I look back at my childhood some of my best memories are from this time of year. It wasn’t about how perfectly the present was wrapped, or how clean the house was. What I remember is the excitement of the holidays and the memories that were made with my family and friends. I bet your kids feel this way too. Don’t worry about getting everything done; prioritize what HAS to get done versus the things that can be done later. In fact, if you can just say “no” sometimes and spend time on special holiday activities, the stress of the season will greatly diminish. Take time to experience the magic with your children. Take them to see Santa. Have them write him a letter. Elf on the shelf? Most Definitely. Make cookies and let them have fun decorating them, because whether they’re bakeshop worthy or not, they’ll all taste the same and when they look back when they are an adult, these are the memories they will cherish most. Even simple things like grabbing some hot chocolate and walking (or driving) around to see the neighbor’s Christmas lights is quality time that won’t be soon forgotten.
The best part of all of this is that you will get to experience the excitement all over again through your children. Watching my two little ones get excited to shake their presents under the tree or waking up to search the house for what our crazy elves have gotten into (yes, we have two) and the glow of when I take them to see Santa is more rewarding than anything else I have going in my life. I am a firm believer that the only way to really be successful is to manage ALL aspects of your life with care. Balancing home, work, school and all of the other commitments we as busy moms have is challenging! I know it can be easy to get overwhelmed this time of year, but take a step back and prioritize what’s most important: your family. You’ll be less stressed out, they’ll be happier and the memories will last a lifetime.
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