If you know me or even if you just follow along on my blog, you know that I love Christmas time. The lights, the decorations, the cookies all make my soul very, very happy. However, for some reason this year my holiday planning and preparation has been a total mom fail and I for one am so exited that the holidays are officially over. Here is why, for this edition of Mom Life Monday (formally Mom Fail Monday), feeling the holiday stress and excited it is over is completely acceptable.
Mom Life: Holiday Stress
The holidays are always a stressful time of the year. As moms, we feel as though we need to create the perfect day for our families and kids. This puts an incredible amount of pressure on ourselves to find just the right gift, perfect the art of wrapping and to create a beautiful decorated table to place the well cooked (i.e. not burnt) dinner onto.
If this resonates with you check out Ways to Avoid the Holiday Stress to get some tips to lower your stress level a couple of notches or just grab a bottle of wine and have a glass or two (or the entire bottle, no judgement here).
We strive for the Pinterest perfect picture of what the holidays should look like and kill ourselves trying to achieve that. So I’m here to say that I for one did not have my shit together when it came to Christmas this year and it’s okay if you didn’t either.
It’s also 100% fine if you took down all your Christmas decorations the day after Christmas, yelled at your kids more then once, let them eat all of their holiday candy and silently prayed for the kids to go back to school or daycare. Just because you want all those things in the post holiday haze doesn’t mean that you’re a bad mom or love your kids any less.
In fact, it is a perfectly normal way to feel after the holidays.
I saw a couple of Instagram stories the other day from moms who were appalled that people were taking down their trees and decorations the day after Christmas. Then said as an after thought “I’m not judging.” Well yes, yes you are and just because your house still looks like Santa’s freaking Village doesn’t mean that everyone else’s has too. I for one, wanted my house back ASAP and frankly, my real tree had officially become a fire hazard.
So who else is with me? Over the holiday season and excited to put all the holiday stress behind you and move into the New Year? Or are you holding onto the holidays for a little bit longer? Let me know in the comments below!
I’m not a mom but holidays are always somewhat stressful for us. We have a lot of places to go and both of our grandpa’s died on Christmas Eve so it’s just a hard time of year.
Oh my gosh that is such a hard time for you. I think the holidays can be stressful for anyone, kids or not. I hope that you had a good time despite all that.
Just showing up is enough. It’s ok if it’s messy! Thank you for being so transparent.
So true! Thank you for the comment.
I love decorating for Christmas, but I can’t wait to take it down. I used to wait till after New Year, but I like to start the New Year with a clean house. Clean house, Clean mind, Happy momma! LOL
Yes! This is exactly how I feel as well.
This year was especially difficult for us, as we had an attempted break in to our home. It really ruined our festive spirit. I also had a lot less time to prepare for Christmas. I’m hoping next year is a much better Christmas.
I’m so sorry you had to experience that. Hopefully next year will be more festive for you.
To each their own, I always say! Happy new year 🙂
Happy New Year to you as well!
The photos of the kids reading peacefully in the moment I am sure removes some of that holiday stress, thank you for sharing.
Yes it really does!
Hahah it sounds like a lot of pressure around this time of year! Glad it’s all over now though. Your kiddies are super cute btw!
thank you so much! Hope you had a wonderful holiday.
Hahaha i feel you in that even though i don’t celebrate Christmas. I hope you had a great holiday.
Thank you!@ Hope you did as well with whatever you do celebrate!
Young kids and holidays = stress. So true. No extended holidays for me, for sure.
Yes so much stress sometimes!
I get stressed during Christmas time to find gifts, cleaning, etc.. But in the end everything is worth
So true, It is all worth it in the end. Hopefully you had a great holiday!
I love the holidays and decorating for Christmas but I am happy it’s over.
Same! Hope you had a wonderful holiday season.
Holiday season is always stressful for the mom, I agreed. But your hard work and sacrifices always make the holiday season alive. Thank you to all mom who makes our life more fun and meaningful.
Thank you so much for your kind words
Well i agree as a kid I used to enjoy only but now as a grown up , when we are responsible for everything all the fun and food and party etc it’s more of a stress.
It helps to have help, it can be exciting sometimes if taken as a challenge but one is still exhausted when it’s over.
So true. My kids love it but man is it so stressful to get it all done.
I am the same way. I take my Christmas decor very shortly after Christmas. I hope your holidays was good.
Thank you so much! I hope yours were good as well.