I seriously don't remember another year where I have felt so stressed out during the holiday season. I don't know what it is (well, maybe I do, a little...) but I feel like I am on the brink of losing it every five seconds.
My patience is shot. I snap at the girls for stupid things, and then I feel guilty about it for the rest of the day.
I've made Christmas cards on the computer, but they are not sent. Hell, they aren't even ordered yet. And, I feel guilty every day when I check the mail and see beautiful cards arrive from friends when I don't even know if I will get mine out in time.
I have several people left to shop for, and no money to shop with.
I feel like we have missed out on many things this season. We didn't go to Illuminations. We haven't been to the children's theater holiday show. We didn't go to Gingerbread Village. I feel guilty that the girls are not getting these experiences, and I feel especially guilty that Little A has just gotten the shaft when it comes to life experiences in general.
I bought a vanity off of Craigslist for Sassy's bedroom, and I had planned all along on making that one of her big Christmas gifts from Mom and Dad. It needs to be sanded, primed, painted, and varnished. The seat needs to be recovered. It's been sitting in our garage for over 2 months. It hasn't been touched.
I feel over scheduled. I've been working quite a lot, which is GREAT! We need the money! But, I just can't seem to get it together. I have time here and there, but my to-do list is so overwhelming that I manage to sit and fret about it rather than digging in.
Let's not get started on my blog updates. I feel crappy about the job I have been doing keeping up. I feel guilty, as if I will miss recording important memories forever. I made myself pull out the camera and take some pictures of Sassy today. But, I feel like I am just going through the motions rather than putting any real meaning behind my projects...
I have several holiday events to attend over the next two weekends, most of which are supposed to be an outlet to relax and have some fun with friends, and I am dreading them.
What the hell is the matter with me?
How do you manage your holiday stress?
December 11, 2009
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4 sweet tweets:
Well for one, I do not even plan to take my kids to any Christmas events! For another, as you know, I save money all year for Christmas and then go out and shop early. And some of our friends shopped way earlier than me this year. I shopped after Thanksgiving, which kind of stressed me out even. I also have daycare one day a week and no job, therefore I can do my to do lists those days.
Big deal that you cannot do a million things with the kids this one year. I only have ornaments on the top half of my tree this year and only one of my kids is on my Christmas card. Trust me when I say I HAD TO LET THAT GO. I could seriously have lost sleep for weeks over that.
And stop dreading the nights out with your friends. Shame on you!
We missed Illuminations, Gingerbread Village and all of those things this year too. Like you, I just felt overwhelmed and couldn't even think of adding anything else to the calendar. Only 2 more weeks and life will go back to normal. We all get stressed out and yell at our kids for dumb things. We're all "that mom" sometimes! :)
Try to remember what's important and what's not. You kids are probably too young to remember going to the Illuminations, Gingerbread Village, or other events (I know I don't remember much of my younger years). But they will remember that warm, fuzzy feeling Christmas time brings. Is it about the gifts (and cards) or being with family and friends?
I don't have any super wise words of wisdom because I struggle with the same things but I totally just want to encourage you that you're not alone. I definitely don't think it's an issue of "toughen up" or "get over it." You're an awesome Mommy!
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