Christmas Survival guide

So the children have now broken up for Christmas and they are in full wind down and playing mode. Homework bags are now packed away for the next two weeks they are on count down to the big day.

Despite the children being off, many parents need to juggle entertaining the children with work commitments and as a working parent you know you have a lot to get through over the next 3 weeks…is it really three weeks? – it sounds worse when you say it out loud.

If there was an ideal way to spend Christmas, you would might spend it by yourself or with a loved one, or hire in all sorts of help.  Like Jamie in the Kitchen for the big day.  Stephen Fry for erudite conversation over the Christmas table.  Maybe  Paul Burrell to help serve Jamie’s wonderful Christmas dinner.  And finally Kim and Aggie to clean up afterwards.

But…we are not in this privileged position, so we will have to plan and get through the pre-Christmas wrapping and gift selection, accommodation and catering arrangements, party arrangements both at home and friends and the thorny issues of television scheduling for the kids.  So here are some thoughts;

Presents: The trick here is no bad surprises.  Not an easy one to get right.  But if you are confident enough to know your own children that’s all well and good.  But otherwise ask for barcode, make, model, colour, size and web address.

Other people’s presents: One hour per gift max.

Unwanted gifts: In a word.  EBAY

Child-minder. No criminal record is preferable.

The food. Okay, so we would like the children to try something new and persuade them that brussell sprouts are actually tasty and good for you.

Television.  Acquiesce.  There’s usually nothing much on over the festive period so try as you might, give up straight away.  Give the control over to the children.

Video Games.  Some of the older children will no doubt be give video games as a replacement for their parents love and attention [sorry for the sarcasm].  Some parents actually get games where the whole family can get involved.  Either way try and limit the amount of exposure to the demon in the corner.

School. I know a few parents who use this spare time to consolidate and catch up with homework.  By all means it’s an excellent idea, but try and give the children a break.

Travel.  Yep there is no denying that as a Nation, over the festive period we all jump into our cars and set off around the country to visit family and friends.  All I can say is try and not return home after a stressful number of days away on night before the children return to school.

Most families know that there is a certain amount of chaos that comes into your life around Christmas.  Whatever you are doing this Christmas, all of us at Simply Stuck wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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