6 'Must Do' Holiday Survival Tips For New Moms.
The holidays are the best time to be among friends and family, enjoying lots of festive celebrations and tons of delicious food. Nonetheless, it can also be very tasking physically and emotionally, particularly for a new mama in the house. There are a few things you can do to handle the stress that comes with the holidays and the new bundle of responsibility. Embrace the chaos!
Yes, it’s that time of year. Don’t try to huddle in a corner and hide. Embrace it for what it is, the most magical and ‘busiest’ time of the year. It’s also about connecting with loved ones. Some we only see once a year. Use the time to talk about old memories and things you did as a child before baby. It’s one way to connect with the inner child/person you were before pregnancy and baby. How did you see yourself back then as compared to now? Hold onto those memories now that you’re a new mama.
Let them have the baby, tis the season!
As a new mama, it’s the only other time of the year when everyone wants to hold or see the bundle of joy. Friends and family will not have enough of the baby, and you can make the most of it. Take the time to leave the baby with the grandparents or friends who are visiting and go for the longest walk ever!! How about date night with dad? If you’re a single mama, date yourself. Spend a couple hours on ‘me’ time totally pampering yourself. No holds barred, give yourself everything. Tis the season to be JOLLY!
Its OK to say ‘NO’
The one thing about family is they have a lot to say, and when they’re around we tend to revert or give in to them. Keep your boundaries! Remember: they are only around for what, once a year, if that? You’re a new mama and you won’t know everything. So there will be tons of suggestions to go around. If it doesn’t sound like something you would do, say so. Or tell them you will take it under consideration. Don’t say YES to everything. Rome wasn’t built in a day and so wasn’t Motherhood.
Buy yourself a gift
YES! Get something for you. As women we’ll naturally take care of everyone and forget ourselves. When you buy it, wrap it too. Put your gift under the tree. That way everyone has a gift to open on Christmas day. There’s no greater feeling than opening a gift. It’s the kid in all of us. Be that kid again, especially at Christmas time.
Don’t lose your mind if you’re eating more than usual
Along with the holidays, shopping, friends and fun, there’s food and tons of it. Don’t go crazy if you find yourself reaching for one too many punch bowls or slices of cake. Enjoy! Eat to your heart’s content, but you know yourself. Don’t overdo it. Listen to your gut. If it feels like too much, maybe it is. While family and friends are over, if your routine is the gym, or a walk or at home gym equipment; spend some time doing whatever you need to do to burn off the extra calories. Don’t beat yourself up for eating too much. Motherhood is stressful enough take everything in stride. If not today, do it another day.
Create memories
During the holidays, there are a lot of things you would like to forget or remember in equal measure. Nothing beats creating memories to last a lifetime. You’ve mastered the ‘selfie’, now master yourself. Snap a few pics and create new memories of your family. Christmas is that time of year where you’ll have your whole generation (if they are still living) under one roof. Make the most of it. There are a few pics I have of my grandma, my mom, myself and my daughter. Now that my grandma has passed, I go back and look through those photos. It’s the best feeling in the world. I’m so happy I did it.
A word to you new mom and every mom. Relax, easy does it and don't forget you.
Happy Holidays from my family to you..xoxoxo
