Anyone else dread the holidays? I know it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but every year I find myself feeling cranky and exhausted. Now that I’m a mom, I realize all the hard work my parents put into making Christmas memorable for me and my sister. I want to do the same for my daughter, but also keep my sanity in the process. These are my tips to help you enjoy the holidays with young kids.
Don’t overschedule
Between holiday parties, family in town, school events, and shopping lists, every weekend can quickly be scheduled with plans. Running to the grocery store is exhausting for me. Imagine how my toddler feels after a couple hours of new sights and sounds and lots of demands. It’s important to remember that outings can be overstimulating for young kids. It’s great to get everyone out of the house, but it’s totally okay to say no. Your child will show you, through their behavior, when they have had enough. Make sure to respect them by knowing their limits. You will enjoy the holiday events more when you and your kids are in a good place to participate.
Stick to a routine
Every year, around this time, I find myself skipping workouts, staying up late, and eating way too much sugar. When I let go of my healthy routines, I’m not the best version of myself. Kids need routines just as much as we do. You can be flexible with when nap time is as long as you don’t skip it altogether. Try to find a balance between play and rest. Have some healthy snacks prepped for on-the-go in case you won’t be home for a scheduled meal. Our favorite healthy on-the-go snacks…
- hummus and crackers
- hard boiled eggs
- edamame beans
- cheese sticks
- yogurt pouches
- fruits and veggies cut up
Watch your expectations
As a new parent, I’m quickly learning how important it is to evaluate my expectations. If you wouldn’t expect your child to sit still in your own home for a long period of time, don’t expect them to sit still at a holiday dinner. You may need to communicate expectations to other family members during the holidays. Be your child’s advocate. Also let go of expectations you set for yourself. Parents put a lot of pressure on themselves to create the best holiday for their kids. In the process, we can lose sight of what’s most important.
Prep your child before big events
Speaking of expectations, talk to your kids about what to expect. Kids are sponges. Even if they seem too little to fully understand what you’re saying, they are absorbing it all. Teaching them new words or showing them pictures and videos can be helpful when they are experiencing something new. Before going to meet Santa for the first time, explain what he does and things he says. Help them warm up to new experiences by getting down to their level and pointing to what they see. If you expect them to say thank you when someone gives them a gift, model how to do that. Remember you are their teacher.
Enjoy the holidays at home
All my favorite holiday memories as a kid took place at home. Decorating the tree, baking cookies, watching Christmas movies or playing games were some of my favorite traditions. Going out is expensive these days. Plan a Christmas movie day with hot cocoa or homemade cookies. Create Christmas crafts or decorations while listening to Christmas jingles. Start new traditions!
Don’t worry about the picture
The whole family is dressed up nice, the setting is perfect, and you ask that kind stranger to take a picture of your happy family. One kid immediately starts crying while the other is wiggling out of your arms. Sound familiar? On the other hand, you find yourself saying, “I wish I had my phone with me to take a picture right now.” I think there’s a healthy balance of snapping a picture of the moment without trying to perfect it. When we have our camera out the whole time, it’s difficult to really be present in the experience.
Be a kid again
I think we get caught up in giving our kids the best holiday experience. Really all they want is to be kids. A kid’s number one job is to play, so get on the floor and play with them. Let them play with the nativity set or help with the wrapping. Get messy in the kitchen baking cookies. Think back to what made the holidays so enjoyable when you were little. Create those little moments that they’ll cherish and tell their own kids about one day. Share in the magic of the season with them!
