It's December and it's Christmas time HOORAY! For a moment I wallow in the toe curling satisfaction of the joys of the season, with the twinkling lights on the glorious tree, carols being crooned by Michael Buble in the background, the stacks of presents and of course the heaving Christmas table filled with delicacies.
But WAIT, reality just hit me like a ton of bricks,... presents, tree, food - they are all figments of imagination unless I make things happen, buy the food, cook the food, get the presents, wrap..decorate...the list of tasks in endless and I might have to take a moment to sample the milk wine, as the rising panic leaves me paralyzed with fear. And of course the kids are home for the holidays so as I baste the turkey I will probably have to referee the latest sibling quarrel, watch the toddler like a hawk before she destroys the Christmas decor and deal with another teenage mood swing. It's the holidays and my parenting days just got a whole lot harder!
In all truthfulness, the holidays, especially seasonal ones can be quite stressful for the everyday average parent, we are left feeling that we are constantly walking the seasonal tightrope. Getting things done in a certain time period all the while dealing with our children and their woes. We are busy, we are stressed, which means our tempers are short, resulting in more punishments that we care to give and which leaves us with unhappy children. It's whirlwind of madness. But wait, it is Christmas, a time to be merry and jolly and as parents we must make this happen, tightrope or not, we must dig deep and find the strength to once again make XMAS a huge success. Here are some ways to do JUST that and still maintain our sanity!
Perfecting the Juggling
1. However mundane and boring it sounds, when you are living a life filled with kids you have to be organized. The more organized you are in your plan of action, the less stress there will be in dealing with your kids and you will find yourself accomplishing a lot more.
2. Do not over commit yourself. Family life coupled with work is quite hectic for one person to handle especially when you have little kids. Try and not take on other projects that will surely leave you stressed and thus cause family life to be tiresome. Your children want a happy parent and not a burnout one.
3. Whatever happens at the end of the week, find time for yourself. This does not mean you are selfish, it just means that you are human too and need some time to recuperate. This could mean going for a walk by yourself, joining an arts and craft class, whatever takes your fancy and something that you can do by yourself which does not involve the kids.
4. As the kids get older it is important to loosen the strangle hold on attachment parenting that we have. When our children are tiny we are committed to their well being, but as they get older you can give them a few responsibilities. This does not mean that you are letting go as a parent but instead you are helping your child to grow and in turn you are helping yourself.
5. Delegate is an essential word you should commit yourself to. Let others help, make side dishes, wrap presents. Give the older children tasks. But once delegated, let it go..as Elsa sang, do-not stress yourself out when things are not done to your expectation. Small things you can overlook and give your child the responsibility, it's time.
6. Keep in mind the things to be achieved this season, is family time, not how better your house is decorated or how diverse the Christmas table is. If there is love, joy and laughter, you've definitely had a great Christmas.
Christmas is indeed a few weeks away so you have time, start planning now, delegate, be responsible and get the Christmas show on the road, as they say. You need to enjoy the season as others. There doesn't have to be seasonal tightrope to walk on, we are after all parents and we can accomplish anything!
By Mayuri Jayasinghe
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