We don’t want to be cynical at Christmas, but the truth is, as much as parents love the season, it can also cause a lot of anxiety too.
We don’t want to be cynical at Christmas, but the truth is, as much as parents love the season, it can also cause a lot of anxiety too. There are plenty of good sides to this magical time of year but there are also a few downsides, which many of us experience each December.
Here are some of the reasons why December is the worst and best month of the year for some parents.
The worst things:
1. It is expensive
Yes, it is and for struggling parents, it can mark a time of year when they are at their highest level of stress and anxiety. It is good to remember to budget but some people have very little to budget with and with kiddies hoping for the best of everything it makes for a bit of a difficult time.
2. It is stressful
With the added financial pressure it is understandable that Christmas and the month of December itself is stressful. If parents have any issues with family, December is a time where it is amplified and made more difficult to manage. As the family gathers it doesn’t always mean the happiest of occasions if toxic relationships are involved either.
3. It makes you miss people
For families who are missing loved ones, whether they are abroad or in heaven, there is no getting away from the fact that Christmas makes people miss loved ones. While this is a natural consequence of loving people it is one thing that makes life extremely hard around this time of year.
The best things:
1. It is all about family and friends
This time of year is the best and spending time with loving family members and friend is one of life’s gifts. Furthermore, the kids get to spend lots of time with their family and without the normal distractions, it is a genuinely heart-warming time full of Christmas spirit.
2. The kids are deliriously happy
The kids are flying around as happy as ever with Santa coming, life doesn’t get any better than this. It is a time where the kids will do anything to make sure they don’t annoy the big man and they will be excited about Santa visits and Christmas lights.
3. It makes you appreciate the little things
As much as is said about Christmas gifts and food it is the simple things that make Christmas special. Time with your kids, time with your family and sharing these special moments with them. It is a time where you appreciate it as so many people are homeless, or others are sick. It fills parents with a sense of gratitude for what they have no matter how little it may be.
Nothing is ever perfect, and life is never simple but spending time with those you love is a gift not everyone has, so enjoy it and savour it.
Merry Christmas!
Emma Hayes is a thirty-something mum of two girls aged 16 and 10, planting her right into the teenage and tween-age years! Follow her on Twitter at @EmmaHayes25.
