Three Holiday Stress Spots and How to Avoid Them
The holiday period is a lot of fun for families, but ‘tis also a season of stress for parents. This year, try to lower anxiety levels and enjoy all that this festive season has to offer.
Stressor #1 – Shopping 1. Be an organized shopper – know your budget, make a list, have coupons. Don’t be that frazzled mom with screaming kids wandering aimlessly through the mall. Know what you need and go get it. Have a plan and stick to it. 2. Shop off-season – Aunt Betty may mention in July about the lovely slippers she wants, so buy them in July! Beats going over budget on something Aunt Betty doesn’t want on Dec 23rd because you’re desperate for a gift. 3. Shop smart – if you have to go to the mall, don’t go at peak times unless you like a 3 mile hike from your minivan to the mall entrance. Better yet, don’t forget about a busy mama’s best friend: online shopping. Imagine doing all your holiday shopping from the comfort of your own home while wearing your PJs after the kids have been put to bed. Cyber Monday just passed and the deals out there were amazing – remember that for next year!
Stressor #2 – Entertaining
1. You may say you love entertaining and doing it all yourself, but if you find that you’re barking orders at your husband and getting grumpy with the kids, I’ve got news for you – you’re not having fun anymore. There is no “Holiday Martyr Hall of Fame” so you might as well ask your relatives to each bring a veggie dish or dessert. Heck, I delegate the actual turkey out to a family member!
2. Put those kids to work. There is no reason for you to do it all. Have your kids set the table, for example. I know the settings won’t be perfect, but get over it. Kids should contribute and the holidays are about being together, not perfection. The more relaxed you are, the more fun everyone will have.
3. If you MUST do everything yourself, stress can be reduced by doing things in advance – have the table set the week before, prepare and freeze suitable food. Keep things simple and easy to prepare.
Stressor #3 – Kids Getting Spoiled
1. Don’t go overboard with presents. We see so many kids with so much. Set limits and stick to them.
2. Teach about giving. There are so many opportunities to give during this season. Sponsor a family, donate to a food bank, volunteer at a soup kitchen. The list goes on and on. Move the focus off presents and on to the community.
3. Role model appreciation for things that are not materialistic. If you’re going on about the latest gadgets and clothing labels, guess what you’re creating? Yep, your very own materialistic consumer kid. Have fun with that.
Hopefully those few tips will ensure you feel more “ho, ho, ho” than you do “humbug!” About the author
Julie is the mother of six and a co-founding VP of Mabels Labels, the leading provider of labels for the stuff kids lose!®. After her son was diagnosed with autism, she shelved a legal career to monitor his therapy and launch a business that would strike a better work/life balance. Mabels Labels has grown from a basement start-up into an award winning international phenomenon. It has been featured everywhere from The View to Forbes.com and is widely recognized for its business and product excellence. As company spokeswoman, Julie is a well-known personality amongst mom entrepreneurs and her dynamic personality has led to numerous speaking engagements, from morning TV to university business classes. With humor and candor, Julies writing focuses on her experiences raising a big, happy family while running a successful business, and has appeared in Chicken Soup For the Soul - Power Moms and numerous websites. Follow her on Twitter @JulieCole Julie Cole www.mabelslabels.com
