Much is written and thought about Christmas being for children. What happens when we look at the holiday season from a child’s perspective? Adults stress about how much money is being spent or how much isn’t available. They are sad about getting together with family or worry about having to get together. The activity level works with the weather. And of year everything fills calendars. Children are constantly reminded to be good or else no visit from Santa. Every time the turn around they are being given sugar, then told to sit quietly. Until, finally, a parent loses all control and cancels Christmas.
If any, or all, of this sounds far too familiar; stop. It is alright to not do all the things. Christmas should be fun, not trauma inducing. The perfect Christmas, or any holiday, is the one you enjoy. As you look at the holiday traditions, see is they fit in your life. Do you really enjoy them?
Trade cookie baking night; which really means hours of extra work preparing, making and cleaning up cookies that go uneaten; for everyone getting their favorite snack from the store and watch a movie while eating snacks.
Make going to the theater (love or movie) with dinner out a tradition. Nothing to do but show up.
Balance sweets with healthy options. Good for children and adults.
Set a spending limit and stick to it. By setting an amount we spent on each child, I always knew how much I needed, so I could save up. And it never got out of hand.
Most importantly, in my opinion, don’t turn Christmas into a weapon or a threat.No one is perfect all the time, young or old. “Be good, or else.” ” Do this, because Santa’s watching. ” That stress sucks all the joy out of the holiday for children, and really adults too.,
When the pressure of the perfect holiday starts stressing you out, look at it from your child’s perspective. Canceling plans may be the move that saves Christmas.
