- Prepare early. Use small increments of time to stay ahead of your schedule. Make a list of what you expect to do. Trim it down and stick to it. Your family would rather have you in a good mood than to have an additional activity or one more doo-dad sitting on a table. Doo-dad, wonder how that became a word? Is it a word?
- Not everyone is in a celebratory mood this time of year. Due to illness, death, or finances, they may be in more of a blue mood. Be sensitive to their personal pain. If you don't know what is going on in someone's life, a question like this might help them share and help you give an appropriate response: "How has this year been for you?"
- Your regular workload continues through the holidays, so keep up with it, but you might consider lowering your standard just a bit. Your kitchen floor doesn't have to be clean enough to eat off of it -- that's what the table is for. A few crumbs under the cabinets can be your charity to the critters that scurry at night. You can starve them out in January.
- Consider doing less celebrating and less gift buying and less eating. You'll go into the new year a step ahead of those who over-killed Christmas.
Do you have a favorite tip you can share with us? Or tell us about foods you prepare ahead of time and freeze. Like you, we need to slow down and enjoy the season, too. May this week be blessed for you and yours....Cathy
2 comments:
This year I can easily say that I am a little more stressed then usual. My kids are getting older and more involved in school activities and it stretches us quite a bit. The way we have done it is to share responsibility. My husband took our oldest to her ball game last night so I could stay home with our little one so she got in bed on time. Last week I did it. I think we also need to remember that the house doesn't have to be perfect for our everyday living. I understand cleaning for company but for our family, it is okay if there are dishes in the sink or laundry on the floor. :) Thank you for posting on stress. It sure can be a stressful time of the year. Merry Christmas!
Mandie, your trade off sounds like a good way to spread the chauffering around, so it doesn't wear out one parent and the littles ones that tag along. I concur about the cleanliness at home. Our homes need to be tidy enough that we can function without friction, but the dishes and laundry will be there long after the kiddos have left home. And hubbies.....they also like to have their wives just feel free to leave a sink of dishes and go for a walk in the neighborhood or help him with an outdoor project. Most would rather have our attention and proximity than a dishless sink....;-)
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