The Holly Jolly Holiday Headache (and 10 tricks and tips to help you avoid it).
The holidays are CRAZY. Add kids, they get crazier, add a child with any kid of extra needs or medical complications and they sometimes can feel unbearable....The holidays are supposed to be fun, the happiest time of the year and I know for me, they can get stressful. I have often let worry and anxiety steal all of the beauty and joy the holidays hold.
As mom's and dad's of special, medical kiddos, we need to take that joy back! I see some of you and you are SO good at that! You are usually just so happy to be out of the hospital for another holiday that nothing else matters and you do what works best for YOUR family. You enjoy the holidays because you've been doing them long enough to know what works and what doesn't. You've started some new traditions and maybe don't force some of the old ones because they don't jive well with your new normal.
Guys, if you haven't already, it's time to TAKE THE HOLIDAYS BACK! Here are ten tips, tricks and hacks that have helped me reduce stress and keep the JOLLY in the Holidays!
1. Have fun with what you've got! Draw a turkey on your child's feeding bag, put a Mickey Button in a pumpkin or make the Elves tube fed too! After all, feeding tubes, trachs and other medical equipment have helped keep our kids ALIVE they are as much a part of them as our right arm is a part of us.:)
2. Enjoy the EXTRAS that are offered to you by your community. Sensory Santa, Early Intervention Christmas parties, a less hectic Trunk or Treat.....and more! Those little gems are out there, sometimes you just have to look a little harder to find them.
3. Do what works best for your little family and pray your extended family understands.;) If going out is hard, invite people in. If going out for two hours is what works, do that. Know that at the end of the day, keeping it simple is going to be the least stressful option.
4. Make your own traditions and stick to the ones that matter to you. For our family, a real tree is really important. So even when December gets crazy and we forget to water it for weeks at a time, we enjoy that tree until all the pine needles fall off!
5. Take time for you, momma! Rest when you can, drink your water and remind your self that you are enough! You are rocking these holidays even if all you did was drink a glass of egg nog and hang some stockings.
6. Ask for help. Ask for help. Ask for help. Did you get that? All joking aside, your friends and Family might not know how to help you. Making a list is a good way to let people know what you need. Whether it's someone to sit with your little one for an hour while you wrap gifts or to bring you a few Christmas cookies. Every little bit of help counts. :)
7. Set time aside for your other kids. If it's while the in home nurse is there or while your partner can help you out, take a walk, grab some lunch or just chill for a bit with your other children. They may not tell you but they can feel the stress sometimes too.
8. Stop expecting the sun, moon and stars from yourself! It's okay if you can't make 60 dozen Christmas cookies, voulenstier at every school holiday party and still keep your house clean and smelling like holiday cheer! Seriously, do what you can and let go of what you can't.
9. Talk with your family. I was mostly joking in #3 when I said to do what you can and pray that your family understands...Talk to them. Let them know that you need to "modify the holidays" a little to fit in with your new normal.
10. Remember what the holidays are for YOU. Whether it's the food, the traditions, the midnight mass or enjoying time with the ones you love, don't forget what you and your family love most about this time of year and soak up every minute possible!!!!
HAPPY HEADACHE-LESS HOLIDAYS!
Love, Liz
A Very Special Case's mom.
As mom's and dad's of special, medical kiddos, we need to take that joy back! I see some of you and you are SO good at that! You are usually just so happy to be out of the hospital for another holiday that nothing else matters and you do what works best for YOUR family. You enjoy the holidays because you've been doing them long enough to know what works and what doesn't. You've started some new traditions and maybe don't force some of the old ones because they don't jive well with your new normal.
Guys, if you haven't already, it's time to TAKE THE HOLIDAYS BACK! Here are ten tips, tricks and hacks that have helped me reduce stress and keep the JOLLY in the Holidays!
1. Have fun with what you've got! Draw a turkey on your child's feeding bag, put a Mickey Button in a pumpkin or make the Elves tube fed too! After all, feeding tubes, trachs and other medical equipment have helped keep our kids ALIVE they are as much a part of them as our right arm is a part of us.:)
2. Enjoy the EXTRAS that are offered to you by your community. Sensory Santa, Early Intervention Christmas parties, a less hectic Trunk or Treat.....and more! Those little gems are out there, sometimes you just have to look a little harder to find them.
3. Do what works best for your little family and pray your extended family understands.;) If going out is hard, invite people in. If going out for two hours is what works, do that. Know that at the end of the day, keeping it simple is going to be the least stressful option.
4. Make your own traditions and stick to the ones that matter to you. For our family, a real tree is really important. So even when December gets crazy and we forget to water it for weeks at a time, we enjoy that tree until all the pine needles fall off!
5. Take time for you, momma! Rest when you can, drink your water and remind your self that you are enough! You are rocking these holidays even if all you did was drink a glass of egg nog and hang some stockings.
6. Ask for help. Ask for help. Ask for help. Did you get that? All joking aside, your friends and Family might not know how to help you. Making a list is a good way to let people know what you need. Whether it's someone to sit with your little one for an hour while you wrap gifts or to bring you a few Christmas cookies. Every little bit of help counts. :)
7. Set time aside for your other kids. If it's while the in home nurse is there or while your partner can help you out, take a walk, grab some lunch or just chill for a bit with your other children. They may not tell you but they can feel the stress sometimes too.
8. Stop expecting the sun, moon and stars from yourself! It's okay if you can't make 60 dozen Christmas cookies, voulenstier at every school holiday party and still keep your house clean and smelling like holiday cheer! Seriously, do what you can and let go of what you can't.
9. Talk with your family. I was mostly joking in #3 when I said to do what you can and pray that your family understands...Talk to them. Let them know that you need to "modify the holidays" a little to fit in with your new normal.
10. Remember what the holidays are for YOU. Whether it's the food, the traditions, the midnight mass or enjoying time with the ones you love, don't forget what you and your family love most about this time of year and soak up every minute possible!!!!
HAPPY HEADACHE-LESS HOLIDAYS!
Love, Liz
A Very Special Case's mom.
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