Parental Stress during the Holidays

Parental stress during the Holidays

 Happy Holidays is the mantra all of us are hearing this time of year and for the most part it can be a very happy time indeed. Of course there are those of us with children that can and usually do, have needs that will interrupt our best laid plans for getting through the holidays unscathed. This is actually quite normal but, extremely frustrating. As we all know, frustrations generally lead us into a higher level of stress. Stress as we all know, can lead to numerous health issues (IE: depression, joint pain, etc...) and this is simply a suggestion to help avoid allowing the stress to take hold of us and allow us to honestly say to others, "Happy Holidays to you too!"

 First and foremost you have to live in a world of reality. Meaning that if you have children you should already be aware that their needs will trump our own by way of being their parents. It is what it is so, when you make a plan or set up a schedule of events regarding attending holiday parties or other functions, allow yourself a loophole that gives you the wiggle room to cancel anything at anytime so you can tend to the needs of the child requiring your assistance. Depending upon the age of your child or children, these requests can range from the truly emergency rating to the completely inane and these are the ones that leave you in a state of losing ones mind. It's easy to think that you can plan for anything but children have proven time and again that we have really hoped to be prepared and find out that we are anything but. It really is OK to be feeling a little put out with all the shopping, cooking, planning, and parenting but, the best thing I have found is at least once during the first hectic week of the holiday season, try to set up a one to two hour break time just for yourself. Use a spouse to help, family, or even friends. If you allow just this one time break from all the goings on and just take a break however you see fit, you will be surprised at how recharged your batteries will feel and less stressed out. My wife and I have been doing this since year one of our first son's birth at the behest of my own mother's advice and it has worked wonders for us both.

 I generally kick back on my bed with the TV in the background and go over the list of things to do and check off the completed stuff just to remind myself that SOMETHING has already been accomplished and then rest my eyes for a decent nap. My wife prefers to lose herself online and not looking at anything regarding things yet to do. We both take the kids for each other and keep them busy with some simple project (usually making handmade Christmas cards for the grandparents) and the time flies by. At the end of the break periods we are both ready and raring to go for the remainder of the festivities and business at hand. It seems so simple but, so few take the time to actually do it. Try it out but be committed to the break and find your niche that really does take you away if only for a short while. Good luck, God bless, and Happy (and hopefully less stressed) Holidays! (I really mean it!)