As much as the Holiday Season is an amazing and fun time of year, many busy moms tend to feel over-worked and as though they are crunched on time. This is why surviving the holidays as a busy mom may seem hard and impossible.
I am here to tell you, it’s NOT! Of course as we all know it, the holiday season brings on happiness and gratefulness, but for some, emotions can differ as things get busy. Because lets be real, the holidays are definitely a busy time of year and a few holidays come one right after the other – and you feel like it is never ending!
Now, I am Jewish, so we have a month where there are THREE holidays and all I can say is, I definitely get stressed and anxious during this time. I feel there is so much to do in so little time and sometimes, I just feel like I can’t get it all done. But at the end of the day, I do get it all done and remind myself it was easy getting it done and it is more a thought process that makes me feel as though I can’t complete my tasks on time.
This is why I will be sharing tips on surviving the holidays as a busy mom because IT CAN BE DONE. It is just all about how we look at things and working on minimizing our stress and anxiety. The holiday season should be one everyone enjoys, even us busy moms who make it all happen.
Surviving the Holidays as a Busy Mom
Keep Your Regular Routine
Just because the holiday season rolls around doesn’t mean routines need to change. This goes for everyone, including the kids, even if they are on break. When changing a routine or messing it up for one day, it can cause a long road to recovery when you are trying to get back on that routine.
Breaking a routine also causes additional stress and that is what we don’t want for surviving the holiday season. Stick to your regular routine as much as possible for you and the entire family.
{Learn to be a more Productive Mom by reading this post HERE}
Be Realistic
Just because it is the Holiday Season and a joyous time of year, that doesn’t mean you need to go and outdo yourself. You’re just asking for the stress to build up. Remember, no one is perfect or has the perfect holiday – so don’t go looking on social media to feel bad for yourself and feel you need to do what they do.
Be as realistic as you can. Don’t live up to high expectations if it is going to take a lot of time and stress to get it done. Don’t feel obligated to match someone else who does something for the holiday seasons. You do what you can do and don’t try to overdo it. It will still be a joyous time no matter how much effort you put into it.
Never Feel Guilty
Just because it is the holiday season, this doesn’t mean you need to pressure yourself to do things you don’t want to or to please someone else, etc. You enjoy the holidays how you want to. Enjoy it with your family. If you want to decline an invitation to a holiday party, do it. It is very important as a busy mom to give yourself a bit of a break during this time.
Focus on the Present, not Future
Most busy moms (including me) tend to feel stressed about the days to come. This is a huge mistake and only adds extra stress and anxiety.
Try as much as possible to just focus on the present day. Don’t dwell on the days to come. Whatever needs to get done will slowly get done and things will fall into place like they always do.
Saying ‘NO’ is Okay
This is a big one. And don’t feel bad if you feel the need to use to word ‘NO.’
It’s okay to decline invitations. It’s okay to say you’re not available to help others. Don’t take on more than you feel comfortable with. You don’t want to be pressured and feel like you are at the end of a short road with nowhere to turn. You have a lot as a busy mom on your plate as is. Remember, you do you and don’t feel bad.
Ask for that Help
Ask for help as you need it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help either.
This is a big one when surviving the holidays as a busy mom. Oftentimes, we tend to over-do ourselves when the holiday seasons are around and find ourselves freaking out at how we are going to get it all done.
Ask family for help, especially your husband and kids. Even friends if you have any that are always open to lending a hand. This is the time to ask for that help.
Don’t Forget your own Self Care
Self care for busy moms is important, and even more so when it comes to surviving the holiday season!
Take that time in the evening to pamper yourself. Or take that extra 20 minutes in the morning to enjoy a coffee and a good book or magazine. Always, ALWAYS take care of yourself, especially during the bust holiday season.
{For more on Self Care for Moms, read this post HERE}
Remember to Remain Positive
Yes, at times remaining positive is hard and you feel like it’s not possible. But when it all comes down to it, our mindset is what affects us as a whole.
If we start freaking out and becoming stressed about the holiday season, then it will feel that way. If we look at it with a positive mindset and just be as positive as possible, it will turn out that way. So stay positive as much as you can!
Surviving the Holiday Season may feel impossible at times. But it is not. As a busy mom, just remember that everything always ends up falling into place.
Try to enjoy the holiday season as much as you can with as little stress and anxiety as possible. I know, I know – easier said than done. But it is all in our mindset and if we just remember that, we can get through the holiday season smoothly and enjoyably.
{If you enjoyed this post, read all about Gratitude for Moms HERE}
Save for Later, PIN IT!
Photo Credits: Pixabay, Unsplash
The Stylish Mommy 