We are officially in the holiday season! Halloween has passed, and now the race is on to the ball drop on December 31st. Before that happens, there are a couple of major celebrations to be had as we head into the home stretch of this year. As a child, the holiday season was wonderful, joyous, and magical. As a grownup, you start to fully appreciate how much effort it truly takes to create those wonderful, joyous, and magical moments for your family. And as a mom, well, the mental load of labor takes on even greater weight, and surviving the holidays with the feelings of overwhelm, panic, and frustration that can occur have the potential to overshadow the beautiful memories.
Moms usually shoulder the burden of the holidays. The bulk of the planning, organizing, shopping, and prepping often, but not always, falls on moms. It’s another opportunity to showcase our superhero powers. The ability to juggle another ball in the air and make it look effortless, right? In reality, holidays can add additional stress, which is often multifactorial. Besides coordinating travel schedules, searching for the perfect presents, and prepping elaborate meals, there is the emotional toll of potentially uncomfortable family dinners with distant family members and friends.
In order to ease the burden of the holiday season, I encourage all moms to slow down, take a deep breath, and utilize these suggestions to help make those stressful celebrations more enjoyable.
Ask for help.
If you are hosting, actively request help from another mom who will be attending. As uncomfortable as it may seem to admit that you need or want help, a fellow mom will totally understand and empathize with the workload hosting a gathering can entail. Don’t be afraid to lean into your mom squad!
Plan early.
Every mom I know has an ongoing to-do list either on her phone or written down, and this is the opportunity to map out your to-do list on a calendar to reduce the stress at crunch time. Store-bought items are also totally acceptable and encouraged as well, in case anyone was wondering.
Assign entertainment duty.
For those not participating in the meal prep, task them on entertainment duty to keep the little ones occupied. There are many holiday craft ideas online or even taking them outdoors to run around and play before dinner can be helpful to allow those to finish up in the kitchen without too many interruptions.
Despite what social media has portrayed, there are countless ways to celebrate the holiday season and make it perfect in your own way. As overwhelming as it may be, I hope you find time to enjoy, relax, and have genuine moments of happiness with your family and friends. Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season!
