Take the Time to Reflect On What Worked and Did Not Work This Year.
“Molly did not have fun this holiday and was ready to do it differently. It was just too, too much this year: too much food, too much shopping, too much money spent, too many holiday outings, too much cooking …”
Discussion:
The most important step to have the holiday season be what you want next year is to take the time to evaluate your experiences this year. Get in touch with what you long for and dream about. Once you know what you want, the steps to reach your goals will become more clear. Look back over each holiday activity and evaluate: “What do I want to be different next year?”
- Write out a description of your responses to this question and put an assignment on your calendar to read those notes in early November, 2010. Nothing has to be sudden. You can, for instance, gradually reduce your focus on gifts over a five-year period.
- Get other family members involved and support each other’s goals.
- If you want more ideas, check out: Unplug the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Joy Back into the Season by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli.
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If I knew then what I know now,
I would have established a yearly date with my husband dedicated to creating a meaningful holiday season. As the kids got older, I would have included them.
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With admiration for all you do,
Dr. Kathy
Kathy Masarie, MD
Pediatrician, Parent, and Life Coach
Author of Raising Our Daughters and Raising Our Sons
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Hi! I’m Dr. Kathy. Welcome to my website! Although Family Empowerment Network is formally closed, we want to keep these resources available to you. Our belief is that parents are the most wise and intuitive about what is best for their children. However, parents sometimes need the support of effective, timeless, compassionate parenting information and strategies. On this website you will find our three parenting books on boys, girls, and kids’ social lives and ten years of monthly newsletter articles. In addition, a powerful, under-recognized resource is the support of other parents. Here you will find how to use our books as discussion guides for monthly self-led parenting groups. One last resource: I am still available to give talks and workshops.
