Beating Xmas Stress
So the big day is nearly upon us and for most Parents I know
that this joy-filled day can become the most stressful day of
the year, so here are my tips for the day.
1. Decide now what you want from the day, how do you want the
day to go. Make a list of what you want to happen and how you
want to feel. If you need help with this, imagine the day over
with and ask yourself what three things happened today that you
loved. How did you feel today, what three feelings did you
experience? Now you have that, ask yourself how you can ensure
you get these things. For example, I want Christmas Day to be
relaxing, free and a giggle. So I make sure everyone knows that.
The first thing I do is yoga, come what may, the day does not
start until that is finished. People know that I have no strict
schedule, dinner is ready whenever it is ready. I also restrict
TV so we can do fun things together like play Outburst etc.,
etc. If all these things happen I am a happy bunny.
2. Communicate - Ok, so now you know what you want it is time to
discuss this with the family. Call a meeting or talk to them all
individually, ask them what three things they want, gather up
all the information from every family member and then see how
their needs and your needs can be met. Sit down and tell,
discuss with them how you think Christmas Day can work for you
all and be open to suggestions and feedback.
3. Allocate Roles - once you know how you want Christmas to go,
allocate roles and jobs to family members. Let them know in
advance what they will be responsible for and get agreements
from them. Given a choice, your teenager may want to sit on the
settee all day and drink and eat things that they are previously
not allowed to; let them know that as a member of the family
this is what they are responsible for.
4. Allocate some Me Time - I know this may sound impossible but
it only has to be for ten minutes. See where in the day you can
get some time alone and to yourself, even if you just lock
yourself in the bathroom! Decide, know when and where you are
going to do this, we all need to collect our thoughts and be
alone just for a few minutes. Respect that other family members
may need this too so when your teenagers storms off to their
room, don't make them wrong, accept that this is their Me Time
and just ask them when you can expect to see them downstairs
again.
5. Have Fun - I cannot say this enough, make this a fun day.
Over breakfast ask everyone what fun thing they would like to do
today, tell them what you want to do. Make someone the fun
manager; give them the responsibility for ensuring you do all
the things that everyone wants to. In our house we have a fun
bowl and we each put in a fun thing we want to do. At intervals
throughout the day the fun manager picks one out and we all do
it. You do not have to be as regimented as that, but give fun a
go. If you cannot make a fool of yourself at Christmas, when can
you?
6. Relax.
7. Don't get so uptight about things, let Christmas just happen
- remember what this is all really about, the celebration of
life, so go on, celebrate!
Wishing you all the best