Ah, the holidays!! The time of year to celebrate with family and friends. November and December are also the busiest time of the year for our family. On top of hosting Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas day lunch, we celebrate all three of our kids birthdays. Yep, you read that correctly, ALL THREE KIDS birthdays, on November 10th (Adrian), November 11 (Gian) and December 27th (Amberly). People always ask me "How do you do it?", "How can you stay sane?" and the answer is "I just do, I'm unstoppable! I'm ready to celebrate holidays and birthdays with my family and friends!
1. PLAN/PREPARE IN ADVANCE:
The best way to stay sane during this time of the year is to plan in advance. I start planning the kids birthday parties during the summer. I DIY alot of things for the parties so starting early helps. Like I mentioned above, we host Thanksgiving and Christmas at our house, so those meals are also planned in advance. I have been pinning recipes and ideas all year long. I also prepare in advance, meaning I make meals in advance. There are lots of school plays, sports events, baby showers, birthday parties, holiday parties and family events to attend during these months and I have lots of meals already in the freezer. Just take them out, heat them up, have dinner and off we go.
2. GIVE EVERYONE A CHORE:
I wouldn't have a clean house or any clean clothes to wear if I didn't give everyone a chore. Biggest one: Pick up after yourselves. If I have to say this too many times, I grab a black garbage bag out of the pantry. They know that when that bag comes out, everything that is in my way will be thrown out! I also post up chore charts with assigned laundry days, dishwashing, etc. Everyone has to do their part!
3. SHOP ONLINE:
This is the most genius idea ever! I do not have time to shop at the store. I definitely don't want to wait in line so I just shop online. I also find better sales online. Oh and who doesn't love free shipping, like most stores offer during the holidays. It's a win-win situation!
4. WALK/RUN/PRACTICE YOGA:
I need this, even if its just a walk around the block. I need that time to just be. I might wake up a little earlier or walk during my lunchtime at work, but I try to de-stress at least 3 times a week. It also helps burn some of those pesky holiday pounds. r
5. HAVE FUN:
So the house isn't spotless? So I forgot to make a side dish? BIG DEAL!! The holidays are for celebrating. I do the best I can and if I forgot something, then oh well! I make it a point to have fun. the last thing I want is to look back and all I remember is the decoration I forgot to put up! There's always next year!!
How do you stay unstoppable during the holidays? Remember to share your tips on the MOTRIN® Facebook page and enter the sweepstakes to win a $100 gift card! For every post, Children's MOTRIN® will donate $1 to Safe Kids Worldwide, a global non-profit that provides moms with the tips they need to keep their children safe.*
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