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3 Things Moms Do to Mess Up Christmas: Christmas stress tips

December 22, 2015 By Christine Field

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It’s almost here. Does that thought cause a knot in your stomach?
Like a train barreling down a track, Christmas is on the way.
Can you feel it?
When I was a kid, Christmas was a dreamy time. Visions of fulfilled dreams and new beginnings buoyed my spirits and lifted everyone’s mood.
As a mom, I want to dream those same dreams. Problem? Other people are depending on YOU to make their dreams happen
It’s that pressure that makes us crazy for a month and a half. Rather than donning our gay apparel, we make three mistakes that mess up Christmas for everyone. These are all things we can DO something about.   mess up christmas

1. Don’t get so wound up.

Because we are the dream do-ers of the season, we assume the tension of all the responsibility. Does that make anyone feel merry? One year of particular burnout for me, I remember setting up for cookie making with the kids and thinking to myself – “This cookie making must make a perfect memory for the kids.” True, it is memory making, but having a mom who is too wound up about making it perfect will make everyone nervous. Tension is not the stuff of good memories. Relax and focus on the fun. No one will remember if the gingerbread man’s buttons are crooked. They will remember if you were a nervous nut bag about confection perfection. Chill out, mom. You’ll have more fun.

2. Don’t do too much.

Opportunities for holiday merriment abound. I recall one year that we went to three parties on one day. As I buckled the kids in to travel from event 2 to event 3, one asked me plaintively, “Mom, can’t we just go enjoy Christmas at home?” Indeed. There are so many worthwhile and fun things you can do during December, but you don’t have to do all of them.

 

3. DO clarify expectations.

Guess what? In all likelihood, NO ONE ELSE is expecting you to put on an authentic Victorian Christmas, or a celebration that even Martha Stewart would approve of. Your kids and your spouse might actually prefer simpler, easier traditions that allow you to be fully present to enjoy the wonder together.

Perhaps that is the best gift we can all give each other in this season. Be present, really listen, share freely and hug often. That’s the real magic of Christmas.

Filed Under: Adventure, Holidays, Holidays, Home and finances, Mothering, Relationships Tagged With: christmas stress tips, stress and Christmas, stress and the holidays, stress free Christmas, tips to reduce holiday stress

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Hi, I’m Christine

Have you been a wholehearted mother, but time, toddlers and teenagers have moved on? If you are wondering what comes next for you, you’ll feel right at home here.

Or, are you a mom for whom family life has been non-Pinworthy and parenting has been downright painful? I hear ya. There are many of us around.

Are you looking for a life full of exploration and adventure after the nest empties, but maybe you have no idea how to go about doing that? Stick around! We’ll explore adventures together to help you gain more clarity for your own path.

After a couple decades of writing books and articles about parenting, homeschooling and adoption, speaking to homeschoolers and other parent groups, and reaching out to the mom in the trenches who was trying to make the best of it - my kids grew up. Some grew up and grew away. I was determined to find a way out of the pain, emptiness and lack of direction.

For many of us, the journey starts with something we moms are not accustomed to. After years of caring for and serving others, sometimes we forget the beauty and wonder of US. We need to spend some time getting to know the parts of ourselves that have lain dormant, and take the time to explore interests and passions that we set aside.

I’d like to invite you to get the “What’s Next for Mom” workbook and jump into this growing tribe of Moms who are emptying the nest and filling the life! Let’s reignite your Mojo after Mothering!
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About Christine

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At Real Mom Life, my passion is to provide resources and reassurances for moms facing the surprising challenges of family life. In my writing and speaking, I explore solutions to unexpected issues in adoption, homeschooling, special needs, and more while encouraging moms to extract the maximum joy out of each day. Read More…

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