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by Evette Horton
Founder
Chapel Hill/Carrboro Mothers Club
Tis the season to be jolly..with errands to run, food to
bake, gifts to wrap, no preschool, babysitter's out of town.now wait a minute..who's
jolly???
Holiday time can be wonderful, but it can also be stressful. Here are some ideas
to get you and your children through the holidays.
- Try to keep roughly the same schedule during the holidays as
you do during non-holiday times. Keep in mind children like their routines as much
as you like yours. (What if you couldn't have your morning coffee?) If your child
usually has morning playdates or preschool, try to keep a morning activity planned
even during vacation. I know it isn't easy to do when you are traveling. However,
the more you can keep to a routine, the happier your child will be.
- Plan a playdate. My playgroup polls its members to see who's
in town and can play. Those that are staying in town plan mini-playdates together
to give mom or dad and the kids social time. Go to each other's house or go to
the Open Gym time at the Chapel Hill Community Center.
- Shhh..don't tell my boys, I've been known to stash toys in
my closet. These are toys I've gotten on clearance or at the PTA thrift store
many months earlier. I bring one out on the third rainy, cold day when I've run
out of play ideas and there's no playdate in sight. A "new" toy can buy you a
whole morning of fun.
- Turn on the music and dance! It doesn't have to be childrens
music either. Turn on something YOU like, something that gets you moving. My children
love the Talking Heads right now, and we spent a whole Friday night dancing and
singing to Stop Making Sense.
- Play with your children. I know you have 75,000 things to
do right now. Did you know that play is a great stress reliever, increases
happiness and creativity, and boosts family communication? Find some new games
to play. I like the book Simple Fun for Busy People by Gary Krane. It has
many games you can do anywhere, like while waiting in line, in the car, and even
eating out.
- Get outside. If it's not too cold, get outside to get some
fresh air. Sometimes, I like to try a new park. Try one in town that you've
never been to or take a road trip. (Durham and Raleigh have some great parks.
Go online and check out the Durham and Wake Parks and Recreation Departments.)
Once the public schools are closed, you can go to an elementary school playground.
- Last, take time for yourself. I know you've heard it before,
and it might sound trite, but it's important. It took me a while to learn to say
to my family, "Guys, I'm really tired and stressed and I need some quiet time."
Ask for what you need. Sometimes all I need is 15 minutes of quiet time
to myself to feel revived. Especially during holiday time, we tend to push
ourselves to the limit. You cannot give to others what you do not have.
If you don't feel peace this holiday season, you won't be able to give peace
to others, no matter how many batches of cookies you bake.
If these ideas don't lighten your load, talk to a
friend, family member or therapist. Holidays have a way of heightening depression
and anxiety in lots of folks. Sometimes just a phone call with a friend can help
relieve tension and generate new ideas and energy.
Posted January 2006
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