|
Author: Jeff Herring Article source: http://www.momszone.org/. Used with author's permission.
Here's a late-breaking news flash:
Christmas will be celebrated on the 25th of December this year!
Of course it's on December 25th, just like it is each and every year. And yet we act as if it's a surprise each year.
Remember what it was like to be a child during the holidays:
The anticipation.
The excitement.
The feeling that the big day was never going to get here.
Consider what it's like to be an adult during the holidays:
Frantically running around, trying to get everything done.
Trying to live up to all the expectations and obligations.
The feeling that we just don't have enough time.
Exhaustion, crowds, stress, crowds, over-eating, crowds.
We treat the holidays, at best, as if they come as a surprise, and at worst, like they are some kind of emergency.
This turns what is supposed to be a source of celebration into a major source of stress as we run around trying to get everything done. And then we wonder why we don't enjoy the holidays. I call it Frantic Holiday Syndrome.
That's the bad news.
The good news is that families can fight FHS. Here's a partial list of do's and don't for the holiday season:
Don't
Feel like you have to have a Hallmark/Norman Rockwell holiday. Remember, those are commercials, with scripts and many takes. Our holiday is live.
Compare this holiday to others, either someone else's or the best you've ever had.
Feel as though you have to please everyone.
Do
Make a distinction between stress and pressure. Stress comes from the outside, while pressure is an inside job.
Fight the cultural expectations.
Give gifts of lasting value, such as time, story, reconciliation, understanding, belonging, family.
Have reasonable expectations for you and your family.
Infants will get cranky because their routine is disrupted.
Preschoolers will squirm and wiggle during the school Christmas play.
Grade-schoolers and preteens will want to stay up all night on Christmas Eve.
Teenagers will want to walk 20 feet away from you in the mall, be with their friends and ask "is that all there is" after opening their presents.
Parents will get frustrated trying to cope with anything that says "some assembly required." Here's a tip: Read the instructions first.
Plan, plan, plan ahead, and then plan ahead some more.
If you've experienced a recent loss, or this is the anniversary of a loss, don't feel you have to be jolly. Give yourself some time and room to grieve.
Remember that whatever you do, you are making memories that will last a lifetime. Visit The Article Guy for more leading edge tips and tools for writing articles that bring you prospects, publicity and profits. You can also subscirbe to our monthly Article Empire Tips Newsletter. You are also invited to visit my Express-Start Article Writing Program for more information on the next article writing tele-seminar.
Dads, Life, and Death
It's not easy to stare into the face of death, especially when it involves your father.
Tips For First Home Buyers On Getting Home Loans
Buying your first home will likely be the biggest and most important purchase you will ever make.
Heres A Diet That Wont Work
Want another diet that won't work? How about a realistic explanation of why diets often fail?
Creating Real Novel Characters - Go To The Dark Places
Too often, novelists protect their characters from acting too real. They feel uncomfortable getting into the issues that make their characters alive and vibrant...
How To Dress Up Naked Music On The Piano
What in the world is "naked music?" You know it when you hear it, but the words that describe it sound strange, don't they? We've all heard of popular music and...
Transforming Problems into Sales
How to sell more by focusing on client problems.
DMOZ: Rotten To The Core
I knew things were bad at DMOZ. But I guess I didn't realize how bad, until I started eavesdropping on a few forums, and reading the avalanche of e-mails I rece...
Boost Your Sales With These Proven Responses
When five years ago I was faced with having to sell my services for the first time I was terrified. I hated asking for the sale. I dreaded the part where my pot...
Customer Finance Programs Key to Increasing Sales
100 percent financing — Many finance companies offer 100 percent financing for the cost of software and maintenance contracts, which requires no down payment. B...
Ten Ways Affiliates Sabotage Themselves
If affiliate marketing is so lucrative, then why do so few ever turn a profit? Read on, and I'll tell you why.
Burdened with Debt?
Too many debts? Having trouble paying your bills?
Gymnastics History – A Brief Overview
A brief overview of gymnastics history and its value today...
Walking The Walk
Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 14, 2003 I have a very important question. My wife moved out of the house last year with our young son and daughte...
How To Get a Low Interest Credit Card
Credit card interest rates can increase payments dramatically, and switching to a lower-interest credit card can be a sound financial choice.
Christmas and the Mistletoe Tradition
The myth behind kissing under the mistletoe during Christmas time.
A Review of Popular River Rafting Trips and Services
Organized river rafting trips are a good idea for novices and experts alike. River rafting tours provide all of the equipment, guidance, and instruction necess...
How A Crazy Branding Stunt Can Bring Results For Years
You could be selling brand new BMW's at $1 each, but if nobody ever got to hear of your amazing deal then nobody could ever buy into the bargain...
10 Must-Know Converting SECRETS to Create a Web Site that SELLS!
Converting your website into a non-stop 24/7 selling
machine is a very easy thing to do, when you know HOW to do
it, this 10 must know converting secrets will h...
Credit Cards and Identity Theft
As more and more Americans become reliant on credit cards in their daily life, identity theft is growing. Identity theft is when someone uses your personal inf...
The Do’s and Don’ts of Directory Submission
What you should know when hiring someone to hand submit URL's to directories.
Small Business Support Equals Survival
Support is critical for your small business survival. You may shy away from the thought of having an advisory board to guide you through your rough spots, but h...
Learn about the Google Search Engine Tools
Think you know everything about searching with Google? Think again. Believe it or not, there are many tools and features available on Google that can be useful ...
Gas Stoves - Pros and Cons
The pros and cons of gas stoves compaired to electric or other types of ranges.
An Entrepreneurs Challenge
Success is in the details. If you want to make your dream a business, it's important to develop the details and process your ideas into REAL goals. The differen...
|
Print this page