Pregnancy is a wonderful thing. Mainly, because I can’t move fast. Therefore, whether I like it or not, I’ve slowed down for the season, and do you know, it’s been one of the best seasons yet. Indulge me to share three functional but fun ideas for hopefully making it a more peaceful one for you, too.
1. Limit Clean Up to Once a Day. All the children are home, the snacks are out, and dirty socks are on the floor. But it’s all good. Limit the number of clean upsyou do, then involve the family. Beautifully, it doesn’t matter how long it takes. You’ll be sitting on the couch directing the tidy-up traffic with a smile and a song on your lips.
2. Have Children Clean their Closets. What?? you say. Something functional before the festivities? Alas, this is a great thing we stumbled on a few years ago. By day three of Christmas Break the “togetherness contention” can escalate. But I’ve found each day that if we do one short “project”—or at least their cleaning zones—it minimizes the annoyances. And, double blessing, it helps clears their spaces for something Santa might bring. Ahhh.
3. Take Turns Reading a Christmas Story. Sure there will be trauma—“He read more pages than I did!” Sure there will be difficulty in rounding up the children, the story, and everyone attentive at the same time. But I can promise that you once you begin the first few magical lines and show the first gorgeous pictures, even teenagers will be mesmerized. Pick a favorite—I love “A Christmas Dress for Ellen” as retold by President Thomas S. Monson—and put on only lamplight or tree light, and settle in for a peaceful moment (“moment” possibly being the key word).
Simple thoughts but hopefully helpful. If you’re game, give one a try, or do one of your own. Whatever you do, I invite you to slow down, gaze at the twinkling lights, savor the cocoa, and cuddle your loved ones. It’s Christmas.
Love,
Connie
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