It’s finally Christmas Break
Today is my first official day off school/work for the holiday season, and I spent the morning at the grocery with a two year the day before a snowstorm! I am thankful to have two whole days to prep, but I have so much to do that I feel a little bit lost. Not to mention many of my mom friends not only have most of their to-do list complete, but they have also taken their kids to a light display, a visit to Santa, and probably a ride on the polar express. But parenthood is not about comparing (is what I tell myself over and over). I am actually a little amazed every year by the things I do accomplish in these fleeting moments, however, I can’t help but feel a little guilty.
Am I Alone?
I am sure all moms question themselves. Am I good enough? Am I giving them those core memories that will stay with them for their entire lives? Am I giving them the holiday experience they deserve. Please tell me I am not alone.
The last week of my life has been a whirlwind! If you are a teacher, you know exactly what I am talking about. The final days of school before a break is not for the faint of heart. There is the carry-in I had to bake for, the caroling field trip, the countless festive lesson plans, the teacher gifts I have to prepare for my own children, and the million other little things that get us to this point. It definitely feels like a sprint to the finish, except I’m not finished. I’m simply starting another race. But does it really have to be like this?
Let’s Break the Cycle…
Between getting home at 8 PM last night and getting up at 5 AM this morning for spin class and swim practice I spent about an hour scrolling the internet looking for “Holiday events in the area” to take my kids to. Wait, didn’t I just say I had a million things to do? Didn’t I just say I wanted it to be different? This is the cycle that we need to get ourselves out of! So after an hour searching for more things to keep us busy, I realized I don’t even think that is what my children want. Sometimes they are just as stretched as me, and what I want is to slow down. I think that is what they want too. Therefore, as I finished my grocery list and went to bed, I decided to give myself, and my family, a lot of grace for Christmas.
Since my girls woke up this morning, they have made forts, helped me make Chex mix, created some sharpie art, sorted through their old toys, and played dress up. I am hoping that just as much as Christmas lights they will remember these slow days.
Therefore, after reading about numerous Holiday activities to do with kids, I decided to create my own list.
7 things for a relaxing yet memorable holiday with kids:
- Throw out a bunch of blankets and allow your children to construct a fort, and then watch a Christmas movie in the fort
- Go outside (just in the backyard) and gather signs of life… Pine cones, pine clippings, herbs still surviving, and whatver else you can find.
- Create Christmas cards for the kids to hand out to friends and family members. This could be as simple as paper and markers. My kids right now are enjoying fonding YouTube videos that teach them how to do something like make a 3D card.
- Drive around town and look at lights (my kids remember this just as much as paying to go to a fancy light display).
- Make something – anything. It can be as simple as break and bake cookies, melt chocolate and sprinkle it with Christmas sprinkles before it dries, or maybe something that is memorable from your childhood (for me it’s buckeyes and chex mix). This year my children are going to do pop-tart gingerbread houses (I just bought some potarts and a $6 decorating kits and let them have at it.
- Dance around the room to Christmas music (yes even you Mom!)
- Snuggle them tight, drink some hot chocolate, and just enjoy each other’s company (I don’t know how many times I can remind myself that they are not always going to want to snuggle with me.)
Let’s Make a Deal…
I will try my hardest to slow down if you do too. Let’s get rid of the guilt. At the end of the day our kids absolutely do not care how many “things” we do. If I say this over and over to myself enough it will sink in eventually. As mom’s there is a load on our plate, but I am trying my hardest to not let guilt be one of those things. My goal for this year is to be together celebrating Jesus’s birth, and the rest is just icing on the cake!
