The holidays are fast approaching and we all know how hectic it can be. Check out our tried & true tips for holiday harmony:
- Don’t let the cookies, cakes and chocolate become the stars of every holiday event. Just assume that everywhere your kids go will be a candy bonanza and figure out some limits. Some kids really do not do well with a lot of sugar and a little communication with the other parent could go a long way to preserve everyone’s sanity.
- Collaborate with the other parent on gifts. No sense in working in silos. Combine your money and your intel. Together, you might come up with some perfect gift ideas and save yourselves some cash.
- Don’t feel obliged to be really candid with the kids about why you won’t be at the other parent’s “Aunt Erma Annual Boxing Day Blowout Brunch”. Yes, we know she started it. You can be busy at another event.
- Help the kids with gifts and cards for the other parent. This might take planning ahead and some creativity. It’s also great to model this behaviour so the other parent adds it to their holiday plans keeping you in mind. Nothing wrong with teaching little people about the art of elegant gifting.
- Finally, HAVE FUN!!! They won’t be small and filled with wonder forever. All the adorable Christmas customs you start with your kids will become their traditions. It’s worth it when they grow up and insist on reading The Night Before Christmas, lying by the fire, wearing matted and sweaty Santa hats and reading along at the pace of Perry Como with their own children because you always did. Be patient – matching the velvety cadence of Perry Como takes practice. Now we are getting really sentimental and using run-on sentences, but you get the idea.