No Holiday Plans Doesn’t Mean We Should Forgo Traditions

No Holiday Plans

Doesn’t Mean We Should Forgo Traditions

BY LURA ROTI

“...when our social and entertainment calendars are blank, breaking up monotony is a win.”

One Saturday morning I was in the middle of something when I heard the robotic Rumba vacuum announce, “please charge Rumba.” This was strange because, the Rumba was on its charger. So, I went downstairs to check on it. Once it was charging properly, I began walking up the stairs to return to my project, when our nearly year-old puppy began barking to be let outside. As I opened the door for her, the Rumba charging announcement went off again. I left the kitchen to see what was up with the charger and at that moment, the tea pot whistle went off. Life is demanding. And this was a weekend!

Since we decided to remote school our 9-year-old daughter, Parker, our workdays are less chaotic than the scene above, but much more demanding. I used to get up at 5am and work until Parker was finished with school at 2:45. Now, I get up at 4am and work until about 4:30pm. My husband and I are fortunate to work from home, so we each take two subjects, and schedule two hours to work with her. On paper, it doesn’t sound too bad, but in real time, the pushback we receive from a kid who teachers have told us is among their best behaved and brightest, is unbelievable. (In case you’re wondering, pushback is a kind word for arguing!) I’m happy we are her parents, but I wish she treated us like her former teachers!

So, with the holidays soon upon us, we are planning for some DOWNTIME! A few consecutive days with no agenda, work or remote schooling. This should be a bit easier to accomplish Holiday Season 2020-2021. Hopefully, it is the only Christmas and New Year’s on record when for our family’s health and safety, it is recommended we stay home. Today, in the midst of work deadlines and remote school responsibilities, it all sounds lovely and relaxing. But in reality, do I want a holiday season without family gatherings, parties to attend and host or a candlelight Christmas Eve service? Nope. So even though there isn’t anything planned, this season I am planning to amp up the traditions.

We typically put up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving and this year will be no different. I even purchased extra Christmas lights around Halloween, because I can count on at least three strands that worked last year not working this year. And since our daughter only has one afterschool activity, she and I decided we’d bake a new variety of Christmas cookies each week to share with neighbors.

We are a family that does Elf on the Shelf (EOTS), but our EOTS tradition

is not Pinterest worthy. Each morning, Parker wakes up to find her EOTS reading a different Christmas book. I do love this Christmas book tradition. It was handed down to me by my cousin, Parker’s first Christmas. On December 1 we give Parker a new Christmas book and a new pair of PJs. And most years, I make time to sew the PJs from soft flannel. I didn’t realize how much Parker loved the book and PJ tradition, until last year when she began talking about it right after Thanksgiving.

The thing about traditions is this, even if they aren’t elaborate, they make holidays and the days leading up to holidays unique and special — different from ordinary days. And right now, when our social and entertainment calendars are blank, breaking up monotony is a win. (Writing this, I realize even the spelling of the word monotony is monotonous!) Breaking up monotony for those we love is also something we are prioritizing this holiday season ... and will continue until the weather warms again.

Because we cannot physically be with our family, we are prioritizing calls to grandparents. This new tradition began mid-October when my mom began calling each Wednesday evening to read one of her favorite children’s chapter books to Parker at bedtime. Parker loves it! Because she is blessed with three sets of grandparents and one Honorary Grandma, making time to call each week takes a bit of juggling to accomplish, but we’re getting there. That’s the other thing about traditions, they are forgiving, completely voluntary and above all, not demanding.

Happy Holidays

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