Moms Unfiltered

Ah yes. The Holiday Season is upon us. The Christmas tree is decorated, the lights are up, and the house smells like a forest of pine trees and sugar cookies. All the holiday feels have been in full force, but has made me realize the season that I once loved for its carefree cheer and aesthetics has changed after having a tiny human.

Don’t get it twisted. You’ll read that and think —“really, you don’t like Christmas/Thanksgiving because you have a kid?” No. Not even close. I love the feel and gist of it especially getting to see it through Cora’s eyes— what I don’t enjoy, however, is the hustle and bustle that goes along with it. The loading and toting of Cora from one destination to the next. The missed naps, the meltdowns, and the endless planning. It gets to be a bit much for those who have kids.

I’m the kind of mom that months ahead I think how fun it would be to hit up all the holiday activities in the area and then gets extremely overwhelmed when the time comes because, well, on top of the regular job and the travel there’s just no time or energy. Then the guilt sets in because you want nothing more than your kid to have the full Christmas experience and the memories to go along with it

We are coming up on our 3rd Christmas with Cora and it’s taken that long to find some sort of a groove to get us through the busier days so without further ado… I present to you…

Simple Ways To Stay Alive & Sane For The Holidays 🎄

1. Sneak a nap. Anywhere. Anytime. Take what’s rightfully yours. I literally mean for your kid but if you want to join them who am I to stop you. Missed naps in our household are paid for for the next few days afterwards and I don’t even have to explain myself because you probably already know so get one where you can. If you have an event that happens to start around their nap time try get one in a little earlier or one in the car on the way. Hell, find a room at your guest’s house to hid in to get whatever you can.

2. BYOS: Bring Your Own Snacks. My kid is a nit picker and will only eat a select few things even if we know that if she tried something she would like it. Bring snacks you know your kid will eat. Bring food you know your kid will eat. Ours? Microwaveable cheesy rice bowls or Easy Mac 🤷🏽‍♀️ and I’ll always bring at least one of them with wherever we go mostly to avoid Hangry Cora. I know some people will say, “isn’t it rude to bring your own food to someone else’s party that you don’t intend to share?” Well, I think my kid openly calling everything the host made “yucky” a little more rude but if someone wants to pick off my kid’s Easy Mac have at it. I don’t intend to take you to the ER when she rips your arm off.

3. Don’t be afraid to be late (or leave early). I HATE being late. I’m the kind of person that will be in the parking lot 10-15 minutes before I’m supposed to be somewhere-or at least I used to be. Getting ready to leave with a kid adds at least 4 extra hours, 3 complete blow ups, 2 unnecessary pit stops..and a partridge in a pear tree. It be that way sometimes. Also, If you are completely overwhelmed and your kid is completely overwhelmed and over tired— pack up and ship out early and for the love of God, don’t feel bad about it one bit.

4. Let them decorate the tree. 10/10 the HARDEST thing I’ve done. My dad doesn’t know that we know that he would move all the decorations we put in the tree into perfect equally spaced areas when we weren’t around and I can only assume that trait was passed down to me—but— we are making memories here. They aren’t going to remember what the tree looks like they are going to remember that they got to help do it. So let them decorate the tree even if it means your going to have to fix it when they go to bed.

5. Start your own tradition. Buy matching jammies. Make cookies for Santa. Buy an ornament together every year. Whatever you do—do it together. Have your own holiday tradition that your kids can look back on or potentially pass on and enjoy with their future kids.

Do what you gotta do to get yourself through the holiday season but don’t forget to enjoy it, too. Whether it be going out to all the festivities or staying in and finding your own holiday cheer— cherish the memories you make with your family.

Merry Christmas. Feliz Navidad. Happy Hanukkah. Happy Holidays. 🔔

Taylor