5 Tips for a Festive Season of Family Fun
Written and provided by CBIZ
During the holidays, there’s added pressure as a parent. We need to buy the gifts, cook the food, decorate impeccably and juggle all the schedules with a smile on our face. Our
children are supposed to be there smiling by our side — the absolute picture of a happy (well-behaved) family.
However, parents are no stranger to expressions of ungratefulness, entitlement and greed from the kids on occasion. And while it may feel like a losing battle at times, the holidays truly are a wonderful opportunity for togetherness. With a little planning, we can enjoy our families and keep our sanity at the same time.
Set reasonable expectations. When those Hallmark movie scenes enter your mind, remember, you may also be dealing with sibling rivalry, tantrums or simply not getting the reaction you wanted to a gift. It’s all a normal part of the experience, so give yourself and your kids some grace to handle it as it comes.
Aim for consistency. There will be late nights and missed naptimes for special events, but the cumulative results over time can be hazardous to moods and attitudes. When possible, stick to the normal routine or plan for some course correction after a big upheaval to your daily routine.
Leave space to breathe. Keeping some space in your schedule will be crucial for course correction. Not to mention, some of the best moments are when you can snuggle in with a movie and some hot chocolate or pile in the car on a whim to drive around looking at lights.
Get intentional about gifting practices. It can be difficult not to inundate your kids with everything on their wish list, but spoiling them (and your pocketbook) isn’t logical
either. Keep it reasonable and advise relatives to do the same. Additionally, consider the worth of experiences versus things. When they’re grown, they’ll remember the traditions and family activities over the wrapped gifts.
Encourage kids to give thoughtfully. Kids love to give, but it often falls to the wayside since the focus tends to put children on the receiving end. Provide an allowance and have your kids choose someone special in their life, such as the crossing guard or the McDonald’s cashier, to give a gift to. You might be pleasantly surprised what they
come up with.
In short, enjoy the holidays! Keep a childlike wonder, stay in the moment and soak it all up — the good and the less than picturesque.
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