It’s the holiday season, which means hustle and bustle and baking, cleaning, wrapping, cooking, shopping, school plays and school dress up days, schedule changes, traffic jams, and and and…
WHEW!
Just that little bit made me stressed thinking about it and still what I need to get done. As adults we can be so stressed during this holiday season. We get overloaded and over stimulated. We can then snap and it comes out like we’re angry at the next person who does something we do not like, or it makes us want to cry in our bathroom.
Now, pause and imagine how your children are feeling….
No. Seriously. They’re humans too.
If WE are running around, what are THEY doing WITH us? If we are stressed and our spouse picks up on that, don’t you think our children do too?
Our older kids might be able to express themselves a little bit more then the younger ones. The older ones might be able to say, “Hey mom/dad, I am tired” or “Can we eat dinner earlier before shopping?” “Do I have to go to Grandma’s tonight?”
Listen to what they are saying. Maybe they LOVE going to grandma’s on a good day, but they’re also tired and miss YOU and their normal routine. Take a break.
Have younger kids?
Are your younger kids acting out more than normal? Crying more? Whining more? Hitting and fighting with other kids or their siblings more?
That’s them expressing they are tired too. Stop and give them a break as well. Let’s really sit and think about how our week, two weeks, etc have been. What have they been doing in school? Class parties with sugar (then they crash with you from it), class performances they might be excited or anxious about.
Let’s try this season to pause and give ourselves and our children a break. Less hustle and bustle and more quiet and snuggles at home. A slow evening baking cookies with just them (yes, place and bake count).
Holiday season is hard on everyone.
Just remember, if you’re tired and stressed from work and holiday plans, your children are also stressed and tired from school and holiday plans.
Take it slow this holiday season. You’ll make more memories that way.
Need a boost in motherhood? Hear my thoughts on why Motherhood is not bad.
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