Page 6 - Smalltalk Issue 52 - Winter 2017

FAMILYtalk

.......picking something from a family
members Amazon wish list or not making
our own Christmas Cards but buying ones
that support a Charity, might just save my
sanity.
Christmas is of course about giving but
this does not need to be presents it could
simply be about being more present. Do
you want to miss Christmas because
you are clipboard in hand making sure
that the Festive Season runs with military
precision? Or would you rather your
Family memories are filled with laughter,
adventure and spontaneity that includes
everyone enjoying themselves?
Put yourself first, well, ok, at some
point in each day in the lead up to, during
and after the fun is over, put yourself first.
This could be a relaxing bath, a walk by
yourself with your beloved pooch or simply
insisting that you pee alone! Whatever you
can get, take it, it is your Christmas and
New Year too.
TIP 2 - DELEGATE
You are part of a team, your immediate
and extended family are on your side.
What can you delegate? This might be a
foreign concept as you are used to doing
it all, however, when asked I have found different about this season, other than the able to pre-empt conversations with
that people are more than willing to help cold weather? issues around screen time? Each family
and indeed love being asked. How can you plan and build in more is different, but if you want to be more
Sit down and discuss with your family, outside time, whether it is out in your present over the holiday period and
plan, shop, prepare in advance: garden or on a planned walk? not have to ‘fight fires’ as they arrive,
What needs to be done? Most children love being outside, and communicating and setting boundaries
Who will do what and when? with a bit of forward planning and some in advance will make situations more
Even your toddler or teen can be warm layers can spend time safely and manageable.
involved in wiping down the table, staking happily outside. Could you freeze plastic Over the holidays it is normal to be
the dishwasher, taking out the rubbish and animals in ice for your kids to set free, are slightly out of routine, and this can be
wrapping a present or two.
you all able to work together to build a den unsettling for children (& adults!). Routines
TIP 3 - GET OUTSIDE out of fallen branches in a local wood or provide structure and a sense of safety
Being outside is energizing, it gets can you go on a winter scavenger hunt? and comfort. Although I appreciate that
everyone off screens and enjoying the TIP 4 - FAMILY TIME the Festive Season is a tad more laid back,
season. Enjoy the crisp winter air; what Focus on what is important, family and do not lose your routines and boundaries
does your family notice is so much that they are hard to put back in
friends, being together and enjoying small place in the New Year.
moments. It is not your job to entertain your
The Festive Season is about creating child(ren) 24-7. Let them be bored!
memories, board games, movie This teaches your kids problem solving,
marathons, afternoon naps because you creativity and resourcefulness. You may
have all eaten too much, I could go on! wish to consider setting up a boredom
What can you do to basket. You collect long forgotten toys,
connect as a family games, crafts from around the house and
unit? Play games, pop it in the boredom basket. When the
craft, read books, kids come to you bored, just point them
cook together, in the direction of the basket! If they still
clean up remain bored, this is not your problem!
together, My last and final point, if all else fails,
decorate call Santa!
the house For more info:
for the www.parentingsuccesscoaching.
season… com/anisa-lewis
Are you

6 ISSUE 52 - WINTER 2017 www.smalltalk-magazine.com