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6 Ways to Enjoy Christmas Break

It begins! For the next 13 days, your children are home from school. It won’t be long until you hear those familiar words, “I’m bored,” (if you you’ve already heard them). While it’s nice to have more time as a family, it can feel overwhelming to fill that time without fighting.

1. Take time for yourself

It’s easy to let your usual schedule go during the holidays. While it’s nice to relax a bit, don’t forget to schedule time for self-care. Waking at your usual time can give you a chance to read a book, meditate, sip a cup of coffee or tea, exercise, or do whatever fills your battery. You’ll be better able to parent the way you’d like after taking time for yourself.

2. Maintain a routine

Children thrive on routine. They like to know what is coming next in their day. While they, too, are likely looking forward to a change of pace, it’s important to keep at least some of their schedule as it usually is. Perhaps they will sleep in a bit, but then they’ll eat breakfast and do their chores as they typically do. Whatever you decide to do, make it predictable, especially for younger children.

3. Start with a good meal

The holidays are filled with sugary treats that can leave us all feeling less-than-optimal. Knowing you and your family will be indulging later, start the day with a balanced meal. It doesn’t have to be elaborate; something as simple as oatmeal can give you and your kids the energy you need for your day.

4. Family Projects

School breaks can be a good time to accomplish tasks that don’t fit into a typical week. Make a list of things you’d like to see accomplished, then sit down as a family and brainstorm what has been neglected around the house, and schedule some of it into your days. Whether that’s cleaning ceiling fans, washing walls, or finding outgrown or unused items to donate, this extra time at home can provide opportunities to work together as a family to make everyone’s lives a little calmer when it’s time to go back to school.

5. Family Traditions and Rituals

The holidays are a great time to create and practice family traditions and rituals. Maybe you already practice some rituals or traditions. Get your family together and discuss favorite traditions and some you’d like to add. Trying to do it all can be overwhelming, but selecting a few things that are meaningful to your family can make the holidays more enjoyable. Whether your traditions are new or old, they create wonderful experiences for bonding as well as life-long memories.

6. Let it go

Take some time to relax as a family. It’s impossible, not to mention miserable, to try to accomplish everything this time of year. If you’re feeling rushed, let some things go. You might be surprised to find you don’t miss them. Take some time to play in the snow, sit around the fire, read Christmas books, or watch your favorite Christmas movie together. Whatever you choose, pause from the holiday hustle and make this a guilt and worry-free time. Calm, slow days can be rare, so take advantage of them while you can.

Enjoying Christmas Break is about balance. When you take care of yourself and mix fun with routines, you’re better able to see where that balance is. With a little planning and communication, the whole family can enjoy this break.

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Higgins Family Center provides a variety of services including individual, couple, family, and distance services. We also offer individualized parent coaching, parenting classes, supervised visitation, and postpartum doula services. Would you like to meet with us? Call or text 435-828-3255.

Christina Higgins, MS, is an experienced parenting coach and postpartum doula. She works with parents of children birth through adolescence in the Uintah Basin.

Jesse P. Higgins, MS, LMFT, CFLE is a licensed marriage and family therapist. He works with adolescents, adults, couples, and families in the Uintah Basin. He specializes in helping you reach any individual, parenting, or relationship goal. 

 

 

7 Easy Ways to Survive Christmas When You Have To Be Away From Your Family

The holidays are a stressful time for most families. Between shopping and visiting family, it is easy for the spirit of Christmas to get lost in the shuffle. It can be even more difficult when a loved one’s shift requires them to be away on the big day. This is hard for all members of the family because many of us dream of the perfect Christmas morning with everyone gathered by the tree to open presents. But, it can be possible to still have a great Christmas even when dad is away.

1. Plan to celebrate Christmas on a different day

It may not be exactly the same, but just celebrating on a different day when the whole family can be together can be the next best thing. It can be really easy to pull off with younger children who aren’t quite sure what day it is yet.

2. Invite someone who may also be away from their family

Often the most challenging part of being alone on Christmas is just that – being alone. Is there someone else who isn’t able to spend time with their family? Your family could invite a neighbor who may be looking for someone to spend Christmas with. You could also ask a coworker or friend to spend some time together.

3. Enjoy some of your traditions from afar

Traditions are an essential part of what makes Christmas special. Maybe there is a special meal or treat that you have every year. Maybe your family likes to go to the movies. Finding a way to still have those special items or activities on the big day can help bridge the distance with your family.

4. Find some time to stay connected on the big day

Technology can help stay connected even when we are out of town and working. Skype, phone calls, texts, and pictures can help us feel like we are not entirely missing out.

5. Reflect on what makes Christmas special for you and your family

For many of us, Christmas is a unique time of year not just because of our time-honored traditions and time spent with our families. Christmas reminds us of the importance of giving and sacrifice. Taking time to contemplate the true meaning of Christmas can help us feel the spirit of this time of year even when we are away from those we love.

6. Watch a favorite Christmas movie

Christmas isn’t complete without enjoying a favorite Christmas movie, whether it be Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, Elf, or another classic.

7. Read a Christmas story together

Whether near or far, you can almost feel you’re in the same room when reading a story together over the phone or Skype. This could be Polar Express, the Bible Christmas story, or any holiday favorite. Best of all, this experience is a great way to stay connected whether it’s Christmas day or a random Wednesday.

Christmas can be hard when we are not able to spend it with our families because of our work schedule or other conflicts. However, with a little bit of effort, you can find ways to connect with your family and experience the spirit of Christmas.

 

Jesse P. Higgins, MS, LMFT, CFLE is a licensed marriage and family therapist. He works with adolescents, adults, couples, and families in the Uintah Basin. He specializes in helping you reach any individual, parenting, or relationship goal. 

Christina Higgins, MS, is an experienced parenting coach and postpartum doula. She works with parents of children birth through adolescence in the Uintah Basin.

Higgins Family Center provides a variety of services including individual, couple, family, and distance services. We also offer individualized parent coaching, parenting classes, supervised visitation, and postpartum doula services. Would you like to meet with us? Call or text 435-828-3255.