If working at home and dealing with your kids is not stressful enough, the Christmas season comes around the corner. Shopping list, wrapping gifts, preparing Christmas dinner… yes, it can be crazy and cause lots of holiday stress.
Holidays can be fun and memorable too- even for work-at-home moms. You just need to prioritize and know what’s important. That’s the real key.
Here are some quick tips on how you can enjoy the Christmas season – minus the holiday stress!
5 Tips to Manage Holiday Stress for Work-at-Home Moms
Write it out!
Relax for a moment. Devote one hour or so to get it all together. Sit down, get a piece of paper (or do this in your computer) and write down the things that you need to do for the holidays, along with the exact dates that you need them done.
For example, if you need all Christmas gifts bought and wrapped by December 20th or you need to complete a client’s tasks website by the end of December, make sure that you are all aware of the deadlines.
Colour code your planner and define the tasks that you need to do for HOME and for WORK.
Check work schedules
The holiday season may be a slow month for some businesses, but in most cases, this is when the sales skyrockets. If you are working at home, make sure to set your expectations with your clients and customers and let them know which dates you are NOT available. If you need to, get your clients’ approval. It is important that you and your client are on the same page on your to do’s before the Holiday season becomes too busy for you.
Learn how to say no
Do you really need to go to your High School reunion? Should you accept a dinner invite from a long-time friend? Is your neighbour’s party really that important? Think about what’s important to you and pick the events that really need your attention.
Join holiday events that you really think will make you happy and where you can make meaningful connections. Be honest with yourself and learn how to gracefully say ‘no’. You can send out cards or gifts instead if you are unable to attend certain gatherings.
Assign tasks and to do’s
Contrary to what you believe, you are not superwoman and you can’t do it all! Grab your to-do list and assign your older kids or hubby to do some of the stuff for you.
If your teenage daughter will be out to do some shopping, as her to do some gift shopping for you too. Assign the boys to work on the Christmas tree and your little ones to do some Christmas crafts to decorate your home in time for the big day.
Do what makes you happy
When confused and stressed, I tell myself, follow the path to happiness. If you are feeling all stressed out with all the holiday preparations, take a couple of deep breaths and make sure that what you are doing is aligned with what makes you feel good.
Maybe that fancy turkey dish isn’t worth all the stress. Maybe your usual signature homemade pasta will be enough to make everyone happy on Christmas eve.
It is a great, great feeling to make this Christmas very enjoyable and memorable for the kids too. So make sure you keep your little ones in mind with every life or business decision you have to make this Holiday season.
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