As a homeschool mom, the holidays can feel anything but jolly. All the hustle and bustle of shopping, baking, and wrapping can be overwhelming. Add homeschooling to your lengthy to-do list and you can feel like you’re turning into the Grinch.
Don’t be the Grinch this holiday season. Enjoy the holiday season and all of its merriment by planning for effective holiday stress relief. You CAN continue to homeschool and make the most of the holidays.
Effective Holiday Stress Relief Ideas
Here are a few ideas to get you started on creating a custom holiday stress relief plan the will help you sing “Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!” as you deck the halls and homeschool. Use what you need and keep the rest in your back pocket in case of emergency.
1. Make Time for Holiday Self-Care
Self-care does not have to take a lot of time and money. You can easily fit holiday self-care into your homeschool life. Think outside the box and include holiday prep into your homeschool time. Put on your favorite holiday music and create a relaxed atmosphere. Make strategic changes that help you take care of you.
2. Use an Organized Planning System that Works for You
One of my #1 tips for reducing stress is to have a plan. Write down everything. Don’t think you will remember it all because you won’t. Your brain will be on overdrive. Do yourself a favor; make a list and check it twice.
Use a planning system that you like and will actually reference. Paper or digital. Keep it all in one place to help you keep track of all your holiday fun.
3. Rational Reminders
Frequently remind yourself that you don’t have to be perfect. Decorations, cookies, gift wrap-none of it has to look like a magazine picture. You may feel like you are under the gun to create this picture-perfect holiday display. You really don’t. Your family and loved ones want to enjoy this time with you, not with a stressed out homeschool mama who doesn’t know if she’s coming or going.
Affirmations (positive self-statements) can be useful tools to lower stress and help you maintain a rational approach to the holidays and every day.
4. K.I.S.S.
Keep It Simple, Sweetie! Instead of twenty different Christmas cookies, make 10 (or buy them!). Buy one type of gift wrap that works for all.
In your homeschool, stick with the basics. Do what must be done to fulfill requirements. Save extras for after the holidays.
5. Reduce Expectations for Others & Yourself
You are not a super mom (although I’m sure you’re a swell gal!). Your loved ones are not perfect. Mistakes still happen during the holidays.
Save yourself some stress and drop expectations down a notch or two. Mishaps occur when life gets busy. You may drop an egg on the floor when making cookies. Or forget to practice math drills. Guess what? The world will keep spinning and life goes on. Reframe the negative. You only dropped one egg, right? You saved eleven! Rescue math by using your Christmas baking time for a fun way to practice drills.
6. Community
Talk with other homeschool moms who get what you are going through. Other women who understand that Homeschooling + Holidays = Stress. Join our Rock Your Homeschool! Facebook group for a supportive and encouraging community of homeschool moms who love to share and uplift each through all types of homeschool ups and downs.
7. Journal
And then there are times when you just need to write it down and close the book. Get it out, feel better, and move on. Jot your thoughts and feelings down in a journal during those quiet moments when you feel frustrated, angry, afraid, or cray-cray. Let it all out on paper and then walk away. Leave the stress on the paper and get on with enjoying the holidays.
8. Embrace Quiet Time
Take any quiet time that you can get during the holidays-even a minute. Use that time to get centered and focused. Pray, meditate, stare at pretty twinkly lights. Even if it means putting in earplugs while you are in the same room with your kids to make sure they are safe while you shut out the noise.
9. Remember & Use This Simple Word
“No”. That’s it. Plain and simple.
It is okay to say no. Sometimes, others outside the homeschool lifestyle may assume that you have all the time in the world to volunteer and help. Crush the desire to give them a throat punch. Stop yourself from automatically saying “Yes!” because you don’t want to explain yourself or give excuses. Just utter the word, “No”. Offer zero explanations. You may want to add “thank you” to the end of your no, if you are full of good cheer. Walk away and hum a merry little holiday tune, knowing that you saved yourself a whole lot of stress with just one simple word.
10. Don’t Forget the Fun!
There’s nothing better way to have holiday stress relief than having homeschool fun! For just a few minutes a day, you can enjoy shared special homeschool moments with your kids using ideas from our free printable homeschool fun calendars. Make a DIY Homeschool Fun Toolbox and pull it out whenever you feel the need to boost your learning fun and rid yourself of holiday stress. Your homeschool fun can include holiday theme or just random celebrations.
What great ideas do you have to share with other homeschoolers for effective holiday stress relief?
