Tis the Season-how to minimize holiday stress

It feels like only yesterday I was putting away the Christmas decorations and trying to get our house cleaned up and organized. The house is still in the same state it was 11 months ago and I'm once again dragging out the green plastic tree. My children have circled nearly every time in the Amazon Holiday Catalogue, with the expectation of receiving it all.

Yes, the season of Motherwhelm is among us. Those that haven't heard this term before probably don't have to guess at its definition. I had not heard of it myself until I started to follow Revolution from Home on Instagram.

Beth Berry is the author of the book Motherwhelmed. The book is an exploration of the messy frontier of modern day motherhood we struggle to navigate. This is not a parenting book, it's for you the mother.

I don't know about you but I feel this everyday, Motherwhelmed. This way of feeling is only heightened in November and December otherwise known by children as the Best Time of Year. This year I am more aware of my own needs and the needs of my family. I am determined to change my response for the season. 

I love a post from Beth Berry on her Instagram account @revolutionfromhome about the assumed stress causing expectations of the holidays. She lists some of the reasons this time of year can be so hard. The extra planning, extra spending. grief of not seeing some loved ones, and the stress of seeing toxic family members can all be so much. This is in addition to making the magic of Christmas happen if you are a parent. 

This year I asked my husband and oldest daughter what holiday tradition was most important to them. I wrote it down in our family command center. We will be sure to do those things and fill in the rest of the season with cozy activities.

One of our favorite traditions is to spend one night in December making tamales to eat Christmas morning. I usually spend 2 days prior, cooking down the meat and preparing the sauce. Then my child and husband are met with a tired and cranky tamale leader, yelling threats that we will end the tradition if I don't get more help. Really, the best time (wink) This year I have a new way to prevent burnout, delegation. 

My oldest daughter, knowing the truth about Santa and the Elf, happily volunteered to be in charge of our Elf on a Shelf this year. At first my mom guilt kicked in that I was robbing her of some magic. Turns out she gets great joy for setting that up for her siblings.

The rest of the magical month will hopefully be spent enjoying each other, saying no to things that wear me to thin, stepping outside to take in nature and loving on my people. 

As the "best time of the year" transcends over us I want to take some time to remind myself and perhaps you to take a deep breath, find your center, decide what truly is important to you and your loved ones this time of year. 

Do you have a plan to prevent holiday burn out? I would love to hear your ideas!