Simplifying the Season for lIttle Ones
As a mom of soon-to-be little boys, the season between Thanksgiving and New Years can be wonderful and life-giving…and challenging for many different reasons. When you have young children, the hustle and bustle and general chaos of the season can be hard to navigate while keeping your cool and digging deep into real, present JOY. Here are some tips for cultivating presence during a busy time of year:
Image by Jonathan Knepp via Unsplash/Squarespace
-Pare down the activities: It sounds so fun to take part in tons of activities and attend every play, party and santa visit, but it can also create tired cranky little ones who need a nap and some protein. Prioritize which activities are most important to your family (like seeing the nutcracker or a parade) and eliminate ones you are only attending because you feel “obligated”. Choosing the best and most important moments will help them feel more fun and less stressful for your whole family.
-Set a budget and stick to it: It’s also tempting to buy every gift and pay for every activity during the season the you get caught up in saying “yes” to it all. Instead, stick to a budget and give yourself a tiny bit of wiggle room for incidentals that will pop up like bringing snacks to a dinner party. Sticking to the amounts you know you can afford will prevent a hefty credit card bill at the end of the season and lots of financial stress you don’t want to carry into the new year.
-Boundaries are your friend: When the holidays roll around and family comes into town (or you go to see family), it feels like you need to abide by every family rule or tradition, but often little kids need a breather or a change to a hectic schedule. Don’t be afraid to say no to the things that add stress to your visits, and politely bow out of late evenings or too many things in one day. Statements like “I’m sorry, but that isn’t going to work for us” are polite and can help maintain your sanity while parenting toddlers or infants.
Adjust expectations: It can be hard when you have tiny kiddos to say no to anything but sometimes, saying no to some things can help you say the most important YES’s to what you need to and be fully engaged in the fun season. It’s okay if you can’t make it to 14 plays and 10 parades while you are parenting in the little years, but your kids will appreciate a slowed-down pace and soaking up time as a family.