It’s the beginning of December and the countdown begins. Not the countdown to opening presents, or the company Christmas party, or even the end to relentless traffic. For me, it’s the countdown until Christmas break begins!
We are in our second year of homeschooling and as my daughter’s school teacher, I have a new appreciation for Christmas break. I can’t wait for its arrival. Now don’t get me wrong, I love teaching my daughter and am grateful for the opportunity to be so involved in her education. But all wonderful things could use some down time, right? This teacher is ready … so let the counting begin!
Christmas break is like a mini vacation, but at home with no airport travel or lost luggage. It’s a pause in the routine and uninterrupted time to just be and do what we desire. I will greet it with excitement, crank up the Christmas music, and break out in a dance.
That’s how I feel now about Christmas break, but there was a time it wasn’t so thrilling for me. I worked outside of the home, my daughter was in school and a 2-week school break meant a lot of stress trying to juggle schedules to have one of us home with her, taking her to the office, bringing work home, or using the last of vacation time to just stay home for a few days. I greeted Christmas breaks with a resounding Ugh!
If that is where you find yourself, here are a couple tips to help:
- Plan a couple special events over the break. It will make the time you do have together special. It doesn’t have to cost anything and can be simple like a sledding day or making Christmas goodies together.
- Remember that the difficulties of today shall pass. Don’t allow your stress to overflow to your children. Let them know they are a precious gift—no matter if you have lots or little time together.
Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. ~Charles R. Swindoll
