It really is the loveliest and the craziest time of the year!
With school concerts, last minute costumes, Christmas parties, presents for teachers, locking in babysitters, the excitement of Santa and the long-anticipated arrival of our cheeky Elf Lilly keeping our little ones up until 11pm on weeknights, it’s almost enough to drive anyone around the bend! Everyone’s tired, melt downs are imminent, and seem to bounce from one child to the next with me regularly crying out “I just need some space” as I lock myself in the bathroom for a little down time!!
Just be.
While it’s hard to stay grounded I have also realised it’s so important to ‘just be’. To find the magic and to treasure those little moments of gold amongst all the craziness and the crankiness!
So drop the schedule, switch off from routine and when everything seems to be going pear shaped; change course.
Moments to remember
Last night on the way home from dinner after a huge melt down, we decided to “chase the Santa lights”. As we drove around our neighbourhood, the kids yelling out in excitement “turn down that street, I see lights”, I thought to myself, when all’s said and done, it’s spontaneous times like these that they will remember.
Receiving and giving away
Teach kids the importance of giving. Give experiences rather than stuff. Help your children make way for new toys and give old loved ones to children who need them.
Let them help
Involve them as much as possible. While it’s really easy to just want to get things done, they love helping and within this are precious moments, conversations and insights that you will treasure forever.
Evenings are warm. Walk amongst the stars. Eat ice cream. Chase dreams. If they are late for school it doesn’t matter now.
We’re almost at the end of a huge year so at the very least, celebrate that you and your family have survived, that you all have each other…. and that is the most precious gift of all.
It really is the happiest time of year if you allow it to be.
Wishing you a happy healthy Christmas.
Monica
