| Could you benefit from a useful parenting tip with | | | | and historical backgrounds of the holidays you |
| practical applications? Most parents can. As a mother | | | | celebrate? |
| and a business owner who has worked with hundreds | | | | So what's the bottom line here? Stop trying to do |
| of moms over the past few years, I often hear the | | | | everything and concentrate on one or two activities |
| same thing. | | | | that are truly meaningful to your family. YOU decide |
| "This year, it will be different," these overwhelmed | | | | the important messages you want to impress upon |
| moms sigh as the holiday season draws near. "I won't | | | | your children this holiday season. You can choose |
| let my family do so many activities. It won't be such a | | | | from the long-established traditions to teach those |
| blur! We're going to have a sane holiday this year." | | | | messages or create brand new traditions that your |
| Starting to sound like a New Year's Resolution, isn't it? | | | | family will love embracing. |
| Great idea...if only you could pull it off. | | | | Making family memories is what will stay with your |
| Well, this year you can. | | | | family, year after year. It's what your children will take |
| I have been parenting for over 26 years. As a mom, I | | | | with them into adulthood. It is what they will form their |
| know how crazy the end of the year has become for | | | | own family traditions on. |
| our whole culture. Not only is there an abundance of | | | | They won't remember all the hectic activities. But they |
| activities for adults, but our children have been pulled | | | | will remember things like this: that every year, on the |
| into the madness as well, with nearly unlimited | | | | weekend after Thanksgiving, we get the Christmas |
| opportunities of their own. To top it off, most of these | | | | decorations out of storage, snuggle up with hot |
| activities are good, even excellent. | | | | chocolate, and fondly reminisce over the history of |
| Feeling a little overwhelmed just thinking about it? Me, | | | | each ornament. It's the story of our family, |
| too. | | | | remembered and added to each year. |
| So here's a parenting tip with long term consequences: | | | | That's one of my children's favorite holiday traditions. |
| let's get on top of this situation now, while the season | | | | Pretty simple, huh? But my grown sons speak fondly |
| is still in front of us and we actually have time to plan. | | | | of this tradition so I know it has been important to |
| Pull out a calendar and ask yourself how you really | | | | them. And I continue it now with my daughters. |
| want your holiday season to be this year. | | | | Do you see what else is going on here? Besides the |
| For example... | | | | warm fuzzies, I am now much more aware of the |
| -- do you enjoy having an activity every evening? | | | | powerful influence I have as my children's parent. And |
| -- do you enjoy activities away from home or at | | | | it makes it easier for me to *intentionally* use making |
| home? Or a mix? | | | | memories to teach them what I believe is most |
| -- do you want your kids to primarily do activities with | | | | important for them to know. |
| their friends or with their family? (I really hope you're | | | | So what is my most excellent parenting tip for you this |
| choosing family!) | | | | holiday season? Stop going with the flow. Instead think, |
| -- what traditions are most important to you? Baking | | | | plan and create your family's holiday memories this |
| cookies? Sending cards? Caroling? Helping in your | | | | season. Be intentional with your family's limited time |
| community? Serving in your house of worship? | | | | (and energy), and encourage peace, laughter and |
| -- do your children even understand *why* this time of | | | | thoughtfulness during this blessed and holy time of the |
| year is so precious? Do they understand the religious | | | | year. |