Perfecting Parenting in December
Let’s talk about parenting in December. It is that time of year when on top of practices, rehearsals, playdates, doctor visits, and bedtime stories we are now Santa’s little helpers. Parents are put in charge of ensuring that the magic of Christmas is bursting at the seams within our households. Whether it’s trimming the tree, decorating sugar cookies for the annual town cookie walk, or placing an elf somewhere new each morning it is up to us as parents to keep traditions and Christmas spirit alive and well. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of Yuletide merriment it can be easy to forget to stop and live in the memories we are making before moving onto the next item on our holiday checklist.
Now you may be asking yourself what exactly this means, to live in the memories while creating them. Surprisingly, it’s not that hard once we become aware of the moments. Let’s make a new list to stick under the one about presents and decorations.
1. Think back to your childhood or even adult memories of Christmas. What are your fondest memories? Was it the smell of Grandma’s apple pie baking in the oven on Christmas Eve, was it singing in the children’s choir at church, or snowball fights with your siblings at the school bus stop? Whatever memories bring you back to feeling like a kid at Christmas again, those just may be the same ones or sentiments to recreate for your family (and you) to enjoy!
2. Look at their faces. You know how so many people say their favorite part of a wedding is looking at the groom’s face when the bride is walking down the aisle? The reason they say that is because you can see the love and excitement in his eyes and smile as he watches his future wife come towards him. The same is true of your families’ expressions during holiday traditions. Recently I watched my daughter and son interact as they were doing handprint Christmas tree canvas art for DIY Grandparent’s gifts. They were engaged in the project and having so much fun learning a new way to paint. Focusing on them instead of making sure they were perfecting a painting changed that memory for me.
3. Put your phone away. I promise I am one of the first to snap a photo of a cute moment or reach for my phone to attempt to capture one, especially this time of year. However, I have rediscovered the art of taking mental pictures. Instead of having Facebook remind me of a memory, I am leaving it up to my own. Allowing ourselves to truly experience something with people means to allow all five senses to be fully present and not distracted.
4. Give yourself some you time. It is not going to be easy. But if you can even allow yourself a few moments to just breathe and reflect in between errands or getting out of the car to head into the house, you may just find those mini recharge moments making all of the others more enjoyable!
5. Indulge a little (or a lot)! It is so easy to focus on making sure everyone else is tasting and making during the holiday season, but you forget to do so yourself. Take part in the activities you took so much time to plan. Become an engaged part of the memories instead of a passerby or sideline coach.
Doing all of this may not always be easy, but it will be worth it to try. After all, ‘tis the season to rejoice and be glad!