Hey (Busy - Hot Mess - Frazzled - Stressed…) Mom…Before Holiday Burn-Out Hits, Check Out These 3 Important Reminders!

By Erika Fehrenbach Prell

Have you seen the accurate holiday memes circulating depicting the moms role in the holidays? One I have seen several times has a Dad’s Holiday shopping list, containing Mom, and Mom’s Holiday shopping list, containing a myriad of people from kids to relatives to teachers to the mailman to literally ending with everyone. Talking to the women in my life this season and season’s past, we all agree that our husbands seem to think Christmas is this season that magically happens while we lament that we are the little elves working to make the magic happen. 

We all laugh at this, mostly because it’s true. All the extras that happen during the holiday season falls on mom’s shoulders. Right now, many of you are in the frenzy, trying to pull it all together. Before holiday burn-out hits, take these 3 important holiday reminders to heart (and, perhaps action):

1. Stop Being a Martyr 
Yup, I just said that. From one mother and woman to another, give this role up. You don’t have to do everything yourself. Sure, you might wrap better…you might clean more thoroughly…you might do all the things to a higher level. Give that crap up and share the load. Pick the things only you can do (or, better yet, really love to do), and delegate out to the rest of the house. Need errands run or things shipped at the post office? Send the hubs. Need the toilet scrubbed or floor swept? Kids to the rescue! I mean, seriously, leverage the “Santa is watching” threat to the max, Mom! 

Pro Tip: Match the appropriate task with the appropriate person. Give clear expectations and directions, especially regarding when it should be completed. Most importantly, once it is delegated, let it go; even if it isn’t done exactly how you would have done it, it’s done and off your plate!

2. It’s Your Holiday, Too
Okay, this is a slight extension of #1. It’s everyone’s holiday so everyone can share in the work as well as the fun. (Spoiler, putting in the work makes you appreciate the pay-off…it’s never too early, or late, to learn this lesson!) Remember this uber important piece…this is YOUR holiday, too! You get to enjoy the season, guilt and stress free, too. Share the work to share the joy. Take time to sit and enjoy your efforts.
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Pro Tip: All enjoyment is guilt-free. This is non-negotiable!

3. Your Efforts Are Noticed
Kids (and husbands…sorry, not sorry) are not always the best at expressing thanks for all that is being done for them by you. Even by sharing the workload, mom still typically has more on her plate (I mean, just coordinating all that is happening is a full time job, amirite?!?). The thanks might not be plentiful but your efforts are noticed. As a reformed ungrateful child, I can tell you I look back fondly at all the amazing things my mom did to make our holiday season special and memorable. I recognize, appreciate, and am deeply grateful for the energy and effort put as I look fondly back at my childhood and recreate some of those very same things with my children now. They may not say it now, in fact, it might not hit them until they have their own family. But, those you love, especially your children, are impressionable and do notice what you are doing; someday, they will look back fondly and with gratitude at all you are doing.

Have a joyful holiday season! Shine On!