Let me be the first to congratulate all you parents out there–you made it through another Christmas! Maybe everything wasn’t picture perfect or like that imaginary fairy tale holiday you have always imagined–but no doubt you did the very best you could and whether things came off without a hitch or not, it’s over, you did it! Time for that pat on the back.
After the presents are all unwrapped and you’ve tried to salvage as many bows and ribbons as possible. After the dishes have all been done and the leftovers sealed away in little plastic storage containers. There still may be plenty of work ahead putting all the ornaments, decorations and boxes away–but for now, I want to give you kudos. Good job! You’ve accomplished Christmas one more time and done all you could to make it special, memorable and safe! Congratulations!
I have always wished that just one person would walk up to me after the last package had been unwrapped and the turkey tucked away and say “Good Job–how on earth did you do it with everything else you had to do?!” Instead, the focus tends to be elsewhere. I am thrilled, therefore, to be able to give YOU a little appreciation. Let yourself have that extra glass of eggnog or a nice mug of mulled wine (whatever that actually IS)–sit back, watch your children play (or fight or complain, whichever it ends up being for the moment) and give yourself a pat on the back. Not only have you accomplished the holiday season, but you have accomplished the past twelve months–you have held it together, been a parent, taken care of a household, been a friend, employee, etc. all for the past twelve months.
I KNOW that Christmas is supposed to be about gifts and focusing on other people–but we parents tend to do that year-round and the holidays are like our Super Bowl of caring for other people–take a break and if you won’t give yourself a pat on the back–I WILL!
Also: Christmas Morning Walk