Love is always the heart of the holiday
"We are so busy ourselves, that we don't seem to have any time for our children," many parents say, at holiday time. "We work all of the time and this is supposed to be a holiday for us, too. Instead, it is just a lot of extra work with everyone rushing around, all over the place."
"Everyone wants a holiday, but no one really wants to help!"
How true that can be, also.
"How can I make time for my children, during the holiday rush?" a single mother or father might ask, out of total desperation. "Timmy has to go here and Jimmy has to go there, at the same time. How can I be in both places? I am only one person."
Sometimes, the impossible takes a little bit longer.
"There is so much to do and I only have one pair of hands. I cannot do everything, all by myself. I need some help, please!"
When no one helps, it all falls on the shoulders of one parent.
"Help!"
Many parents issue a cry for help, over the holiday season, as they know how their own stress multiplies, at that time of the year. Tempers can flare when there are too many things to do and there is not enough time to do them.
Here are some tips on how you can make time for your children, during the holiday."
Prioritize.
As parents, take time and decide what should take priority in your family's life and in your personal life, over the holiday. You will probably agree that God, one another and your children should be your first priority.
Organize your time.
When you make a serious effort to organize your time properly, you will find that there is time for everyone and everything. It needs to be organized that way. Every person has exactly the same number of hours, in his or her day. What you choose do with that time, is up to you. Whether you rush or not is a matter of choice, at least to some degree.
Decide how many hours you would like to spend with your children, during the holiday. Adhere to that, as much as possible. It may be more or less on certain days, depending upon what else is happening in your lives.
Start your holiday schedule early.
Talk to one another and to you children, well ahead of the holiday. Find out where everyone is supposed to be and when they are expected to be there. Plan your holiday according, in order to avoid last minute chaos.
Make certain that you write everything down, so that nothing is missed or forgotten. Arrange your work schedule to allow sufficient time to be with your children over the holiday. It may be to your advantage to book an extra day off work.
Spend quality time with your children.
When you are able to be with your children, make certain that the time you spend with them, is going to be their time with you, not with you and something or someone else. Your children are precious to you and sensitive, as well. They will sense it immediately, when you are not there with them mentally, spiritually or emotionally. If you feel rushed, they will, too.
Make certain that your children know that they are loved and are important to you, all of the time, regardless of how many other people are around or what has to be done, during the holiday. They will feel secure and be much less demanding of your time.
Do things ahead of time, with your children, if possible.
A lot of the essential holiday cleaning, cooking, decorating, shopping and visiting, can be done ahead of time. You will find that as your children become old enough to do things, allowing them to help too, will give them an increased sense of responsibility. Then, they can say, "I helped."
Employing a few extra helping hands will free up more time for you to be with them. Let them know that you do appreciate all of their help.
Take care of the most important things first.
Make a list of all of the major things that need to be done for the holiday. Set time aside to do them and make certain that they are taken care of first, rather than leaving them to be done, at the very last minute. Try to do them, when your children are busy doing something else.
Do extra shopping for gifts, decorations and groceries, ahead of time.
Watch for sales, coupons and flyers for special items that you may be able to purchase, ahead of time. Stock your cupboards well, for the unexpected will always happen, when you have children. Visitors with children may show up unexpectedly, as well.
Do not panic. Most people have that happen in their lives and are willing to be of assistance. Enlist their help, so that you can spend time with your children and theirs. Have some extra games and toys available, just in case.
Plan the details of special events, ahead of time.
Write down all of the important details regarding times, places, gifts and food, so that you don't have unexpected surprises, at the last minute, with regard to your children's special holiday events.
Pay extra attention to their school or church events, sports activities, special parties, planned visits from young family members or your children's friends. Always work out the exact details of your holiday plans together, if possible. It can save a lot of misunderstanding and frustration.
Do extra baking ahead of time and put it in the freezer.
Many cookies, cakes, bread, candies and pastries can be prepared, ahead of time. Try to keep things relatively simple, as much as possible. Keep extra snacks for everyone on hand, just in case, so that you do not have to run out, at the last minute, for anything.
Talk to your children, so that they are aware of your plans and expectations of them.
If everyone knows where they are going and what they are doing, it is much easier to be in sync with one another. Focus on the real meaning of the holiday. For example, with Thanksgiving, focus on giving thanks or for Christmas, focus on the birth of the Christ child.
Various traditions may celebrate each holiday or Christmas differently, but regardless of how you choose to celebrate, remember that love is always the heart of the holiday everywhere.
The bottom line is to make every holiday fun for everyone, especially your children, by making time for them.
Have a happy holiday season with your children.
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