Christmas

Lightening the mental load this Christmas

By Chloe Lowe Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for parents. The pressure to create the perfect experience for everyone builds into a behemoth balancing on a plate of mince pies, threatening to crumble at any minute.

The upward comparison with Insta-perfect mums and crafting geniuses, let alone the constant narrative in the press, on television and on social media, means the mental load reaches an all-time high during the festive season and it’s well documented that mums bear the heaviest burden.

The sheer volume of things to think about and do can quickly lead to high-stress, low mood and burnout and not enjoying a minute of Christmas.

It’s very British to need to present the perfect picture. But when you realise that you can’t control everything, including the actions of your extended family or your delivery man, it can be truly liberating!

How to create your ‘perfectly imperfect’ Christmas

Here’s a few tips on how to manage the mental load this Christmas and feel good about it too.

Grab a pen and paper and write a list of the top three things

that mean the most to you this Christmas.

Focus on those first. Doing a few things well will feel so much better than spreading yourself too thin and doing lots of things, just ‘ok’.

Ask for and accept help - it’s a sign of strength, not a weakness.

Slow down to speed up. Running on caffeine at one hundred miles per hour is detrimental to your mind and body. Slowing down and taking some deep breaths or even indulging in a Christmas movie, will help you reset, re-energise and get some headspace.

Ask yourself what your children really want and need this Christmas and focus on that rather than succumbing to the pressure to spoil them or compete with peers.

Reduce your time on social media. It’s amazing how many hours you’ll get back.

Avoid too many excesses. Don’t deprive yourself of a glass of fizz and a few mince pies but counter them with a family walk in the fresh air or a healthy breakfast or lunch.

And don’t forget to give yourself the gift of self-care so that you can enjoy Christmas too.

Chloe Lowe is founder of @parentlistapp (www.parentlist. app), the app for busy parents who want to find joy in parenting.

Christmas

GIFT GUIDE

Spread a little bit of festive joy this year by being good to both your family and by supporting some of the independent businesses in the North Yorkshire region. Barekind Bamboo Socks

These jolly Bamboo socks are great stocking fillers that save endangered animals too. Bright and colourful, they will brighten up your children’s feet, while 10% of the profits are donated to help save the animal on the sock. £7.50.

www.barekind.co.uk

Families Giveaway

Elf Letters

We’re all for an advent calendar that encourages children to read! This one has daily, personalised Elf letters directly from a North Pole Elf. Read the stories every day to find out what happens in the North Pole as Santa and the elves get ready for Christmas. £25.99.

www.elfforchristmas.co.uk

Nature Curious Subscription Boxes

Buttercup’s Nature Curious activity subscription boxes encourage children to explore the British wildlife on our doorsteps. Their eco-packaged worksheets and nature prints with augmented reality are designed and printed in the UK. £20 per month with bonus access to an online community.

www.buttercuplearning.com

Families has an annual subscription to give away! Apply at familiesmag.co.uk/go

Play Kits Subscription Boxes

The Play Kits imaginative subscription boxes help parents make the most of playtime and support pre-school brain development. Created with leading child development experts, these are built to last and are made with sustainable wood, organic cotton, non-toxic paint and baby-safe plastics. From £80. Kabode Alphabet Children’s Bedding

This gorgeous natural children’s bedding from Kabode is designed to inspire big dreams. The Alphabet collection makes it fun for your child to learn their ABCs and the playful design is decorated with colourful letters. Made from 100% certified organic cotton. £44.95.

www.kabode.co.uk

Bake at Home Gingerbread People

Cake or Death’s Bake At Home Gingerbread People make the perfect gift for little bakers. Delivered through your letterbox, each kit comes complete with delicious ready-made gingerbread dough, a cutter and recipe card. £15.

www.cakeordeath.co.uk

JOGB Luxury Candle

A JOGB luxury candle is a lovely treat for someone who has everything (else)! They are artisan-made, eco-friendly candles, made using 100% natural luxury fragrances from quality essential oils. Available in three gorgeous fragrances: Relaxing SLOJO, Uplifting GOJO and Sensual MOJO. £65. DIY Lip Tint or Cheek Balm Kit

Families Giveaway

Let the makeup lover in your life design their own allnatural lip tints or cheek balms. These DIY kits have gorgeous ingredients and are plastic-free. £19.99.

www.acalaonline.com

Families has three kits to give away! Apply at familiesmag.co.uk/go

www.jogbliving.com

ShopLocal

The Mum Collective Peach Tree Picnics

Focused on delivering the best local & UK artisan produce in our handmade picnics, sharing platters and yummy extras. Perfect for Family Gatherings, Christenings, Birthdays, Race Days, Open Air Concerts, Sporting Events, Date Nights/Days - the list is endless! Visit us at www.peachtreepicnics.co.uk to see all the wonderful products and celebrations we cater for. Look forward to hearing from you soon. Catherine. @peach.tree.picnics

Shop Local

Where luxury meets maternity and nursing clothes. Whether you’re pregnant with your first baby or feeding your fifth, The Mum Collective loungewear pieces are the only one’s you’ll need. We know during your pregnancy and after birth, you want to feel comfortable but also stylish. Our award-winning collections are designed to do just that. Hang out at home with your little one or head out for coffee with your friends, no matter where you wear yours, The Mum Collective is here to help make you feel a little more...you.

www.themumcollective.co.uk

Halo Water Bottle

Perfect for fitness fanatics, Halo insulated bottles are compact and lightweight. Designed to be incredibly handbag (and even coat pocket)friendly, Halo is a bottle you will never leave at home, making hydrating on the move that little bit easier. From £22. Crossover Bag

This quirky crossover bag is made in Portugal using superior quality cork. It is a 100% natural raw material harvested every nine years from the cork oaks. Its 100% biodegradability and its high quality make it one of the most sustainable and durable materials available today. Vegan, waterproof and extremely light. £59.99.