Health & Fitness
How a Mom Survives the Holiday Season
Three things I figured out to try and survive the frantic holidays as a mom.
I hope no one starts reading this thinking I have the answers to this, because I don't. I am in the same boat as all the rest of us mom's... hours of frantically trying to do everything to get ready for the holidays, all while trying to keep the day to day activities going smoothly.
No matter how much I try to do ahead of time, or carefully plan out my days so that I am not baking cookies or making photo books for grandparents at 2 a.m., it never seems to be quite enough to get ahead of the curve.
So this year, I am trying to do a few things differently so that maybe, the holiday season can be fun for mom as well, or at least I will still have my sanity by Dec. 24th.
Find out what's happening in Long Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
1. Neither of my children handles the whole pictures with Santa very well....and I guess a small part of me is happy they aren't comfortable sitting on a strangers lap. So, one less stress this year and pictures with Santa were removed from the list of things to do.
2. I tried to go out to my friends, participate in cookie exchanges, and in general make sure I had some playdates as well as my kids. Laughing with your friends and sharing some of the craziness of the season seems to make it better. I love the stories I am hearing about the "Elf on the Shelf" while at the same time glad we don't have one and I don't have to remember to move the scary little thing around house!
Find out what's happening in Long Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
3. I am trying to take at least 30 minutes, to myself, to do something good for me each day. It means getting up early in morning, or being the last to bed, but to spend a little bit of time doing something is good for me. Mostly, I have been trying to exercise. Doing 30 minutes on my elliptical while singing to my 80's music seems to get me ready for almost anything - I am just happy no one can hear me! I think I have finally gotten this year that the holidays aren't about everything being perfect or going to every possible event that my children would enjoy during the month of December. It is about appreciating the special events, creating memories, and giving your family lots of love (including yourself!)
Happy holidays!
