How’s it going with that stress-free (less tears) Christmas plan? Were you able to catch those pesky expectations and put them to death? Did you help your children manage their own expectations to make room for gratitude, not grumbling?
Here’s tip #2 to reduce your holiday anxiety. This tip is fully focused around the word “Regular.” For every family member to have the sweetest Christmas season possible, it’s important to focus on Regular Routines, Regular Rest, and Regular Mealtimes.
Opportunities for “out of the normal” activities abound during the Christmas holidays. We’ll focus in Tip #3 on how to wisely manage those opportunities, but for now, let’s take a look at the importance of carefully maintaining some of the necessary same-old/same-old ordinary parts of life. Maintaining some sense of normalcy isn’t just important for our children… That same normalcy will help us fight the stress and anxiety that come from tight schedules, tight budgets, and the inevitable crankiness that comes from less than adequate sleep.
Although the very nature of the Christmas season means that sometimes we won’t be able to manage our days the way that everyone is used to them going, focusing on keeping our “at home and not running around days” as routine as possible will provide a secure framework for our children. Interestingly, numerous scientific studies have proven that children who (for the most part) have a predictable routine in their lives are far more emotionally able to handle out-of-the-routine days than their unstructured counterparts. Those children who don’t have a regular flow to their day and, therefore, have more chaotic lives are less able to handle the extra stress that the holidays bring.
Consider your “normal” days. Can your children rest peacefully in the routine and structure you provide for them? We all have holiday activities we want to enjoy (And we should enjoy them!), but on the days that nothing special is planned, recognize that normalcy in the midst of busyness is a gift to be treasured. As you slip back into your regular routines, both you and your children will be refreshed. Please don’t fall into the trap of feeling as though every day must be a special day because it’s Christmastime. Normal and boring is good for everyone sometimes!
Regular rest is another way to ensure all family members can enjoy your special opportunities this Christmas. Tired children and tired parents may go through the motions at holiday dinners, school Christmas programs, light viewings, and cookie baking, but exhaustion will rob everyone of the joy they could be experiencing. Sometimes, a good opportunity isn’t the best choice for your family. (More about that in the next tip.) When there is no need to be out late, make every effort to get everyone in the family to bed on time. Moms, too! In fact, Moms especially. I know how tempting it is to stay up and get all that wrapping and baking completed while the house is quiet, but the sluggishness you’ll “enjoy” the next day just isn’t worth it!
Finally, let’s look at regular mealtimes and meals. Christmas is definitely the time for Christmas cookies, special candies, and, sometimes, rushed meals on the go. However, too much of any of these things will drain you and your family of the energy you need to enjoy the holiday season. Your kids will feel just as loved if you spread the treats out over several days as they will when they sit down and devour a dozen cookies at one time. Too many days of poor eating choices will certainly affect you as well. As much as possible, keep mealtimes at their normal time and ensure you’re not depending on sweets to keep your family going. As a side note, dehydration can derail the best-laid Christmas plans. Avoid the headache and lethargy that come from too little water. Why not make a December water challenge and reward your kids for their faithful water consumption by slipping a new water bottle under the tree for each one of them?
There’s nothing in the world that would keep me from enjoying the Christmas season! Life is fragile, and I don’t want to miss any opportunities to build memories and appreciate special times with my family.
But…
Enjoying Christmas isn’t about just Doing.All.The.Things! If we wear out our families with too much chaos, not enough sleep, and unhealthy eating choices, all we’ll accomplish is a busy holiday season… Not the joyful, relationship-building Christmas we long to share with one another.
Megan Scheibner 