I am a child of the 80's! Remember Madonna's song Holiday? "Holiday....Celebrate...Holiday....Celebrate----if we took a holiday...oo yeah oo yeah..took some time to celebrate"....Ahh the memories, the joy, the anticipation of a holiday. Fun, family, friends, food, no school and with Christmas---PRESENTS!. Well now I am a mom in 2008 and I think I want to get the Madonna CD and smash the heck out of it!! "Holiday...Celebrate" has quickly gone to "Holiday..pull my hair out, making everything great for everyone else, cooking, activities, parties, cleaning, shopping, impossible Santa presents and family"! As adults holidays quickly turn into something we dread not something we look forward to with anticipation. We get too consumed by outside stressors that we completely miss the joy and fun of the holiday season.
So you ask---Gee Carrie what can we do about this??? Well so glad you asked. Here are some suggestions. First--sit down and decide what you want your holiday to be like. Basically remind yourself of what is important for you, your family, and for your holiday and write it down--set your goals for the holiday.
Second get a calendar/planner out and write out all the tasks/parties/responsibilities you have for the coming weeks. Then review that list. BE HONEST with yourself in assessing, are these things really important to me....will they benefit my family and my life? If the answer is no---scratch it! It is OK to tell people "No I can not participate", or "No I am unable to help". Contrary to popular belief we do not have to be everything for everyone! It stresses us out, we get mad, yell and threaten the kids (oh a little self disclosure there) and it makes everyone miserable. Let me say that again---it is OK to say NO! It is ok to not participate in every activity, every party and every get together.
Third take time out for yourself--it is vital--if need be write it down on your calendar. Healthy sleep, eating habits and exercise do not need to be pushed aside. Remind yourself to slow down. Again schedule time for yourself and stay true to how you want your holiday to be. Take back your holiday! Enjoy yourself and your family. You have earned. it. Merry Christmas!!
****no Madonna CD's were harmed in the writing of this article****
Photo Credit © Qtrix | Dreamstime.com
Carrie Castleman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She resides in Plano, Texas with her husband and two daughters.
AMEN! Best thoughts of the season.
Way to go Carrie.......Enjoyed the article.....And Merry Christmas to you and your family....:)
We're on the same page, Carrie! We took it one step further and we have put our foot down on the whole materialistic commercialism of Christmas. Our kids are only getting 1 gift from mom & dad, 1 gift from their sibling, 1 gift from Santa, and 1 gift from grandma (since grandma lives with us). We're sick of all the toys overflowing in our house, and the kids are getting to the age where they think they can have anything anytime they want it. Now, we're focusing on the value of money and giving away old neglected toys!!!
Carrie~you know Roger loves Madonna! ho ho ho
U tell it like it is, sister......
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