The holiday season is a busy time for everyone, but especially for working mothers. If you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, there are some things you can do to try to minimize the holiday craziness.
We have a few tips for busy women who want to survive the holidays with their sanity intact…
Don’t try to do everything yourself!
Between gift shopping, baking, decorating, and all the other festivities, the season can quickly become overwhelming if you try to handle all the tasks on your own. Make this the year to start a new tradition of delegation! Assigning family members or friends specific tasks helps ensure that everyone’s strengths are being used in the most effective way. Does your teen love to bake? Put her on cookie duty! Does your partner have a shopping list ready? Have them take over the presents! With some creative planning, you can trim down your to-do list.
Prioritize your to-do list!
Every holiday season brings a flurry of activity, and this one is no different. Whether it’s shopping for the perfect gift, making sure dinner is on the table, or helping loved ones feel supported, there’s a lot to get done between now and New Year’s Day! To help keep things organized, make a list of all the things that need to be done and prioritize them by importance. That way, you can focus on the most urgent tasks first and take your time with the rest. Who knows? You may even find yourself with some extra time for hot cocoa or Netflix!
Of course, your family is probably at the top of your priority list. Make sure that your kids get enough quality time and TLC in the process, as well. This can be as easy as taking time each day to do chores together and, most especially, being around to tuck them in come bedtime!
Set aside time each day for yourself!
Taking care of yourself each day doesn’t have to be difficult. You can start with just 15 minutes. Whether you’re taking a moment for some quiet reflection or getting your heart rate up with a quick cardio session, the important thing is that “you time” is part of your daily routine. With our busy 21st-century lives, it can be easy to ignore our own mental and physical well-being. However, setting aside a little bit of time every day to focus on yourself can make all the difference in how you feel today and into the future.
Take breaks and don’t be afraid to say NO!
From shopping and cooking to social events and end-of-year deadlines, many of us can find ourselves feeling overwhelmed. That’s why it’s so important to build in a few pause points for yourself throughout the season. Taking regular breaks can help keep stress levels in check and give you some much-needed time to just breathe, process your thoughts or watch some mindless TV. Better still, if you don’t want to take on too many extra activities this holiday season, don’t be afraid to say no. And you shouldn’t feel guilty about taking a break from the holiday chaos. After all, if you need a do-over, there’s always next year.
Finally, remember that the holidays are supposed to be enjoyable!
One of the most important things to remember this season is that the holidays should be enjoyable. So try to revel in the simple pleasures. Whether it’s spending quality time with your children reading, baking, or enjoying a holiday-themed activity together, find joy in the little things and savor the moments. While it’s certainly nice to create spectacularly themed cookies or research exotic recipes, remember there are more meaningful ways to enjoy this magical time of year.
Hopefully, these tips will help relieve some of the pressure you feel this holiday season. Remember, it’s supposed to be a time of joy, so don’t stress out if something isn’t done perfectly. Just relax and enjoy your time with family and friends. As always, if you need extra support or help to navigate the holidays, we’ve got you! You can schedule here easily 24/7 with any of our rock star therapists!
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This post was written by Jenny Wise at Special Home Educator.
