You’ve recently welcomed your first child, and you can’t wait for your baby to experience the magic of the holiday season. Even though you want to make sure that the holidays are special for your family, you feel overwhelmed by all the responsibilities that are falling on your shoulders.
From going to family gatherings to buying gifts to baking cookies, your schedule is filling up fast. And to top it all off, you’re sleep-deprived and frazzled.
How can you make the most of the holidays with a new baby and avoid being bogged down by stress during this special time? These tips will help you navigate your first holiday season with your baby.
Don’t Try to “Do It All”
You might feel you’re under pressure to attend every gathering you’re invited to or prioritize every family tradition this holiday season. After all, your friends and relatives want to see your new baby!
As a new parent, you have a lot on your plate already. You may need to respectfully decline the invitations to some events. Make time for the gatherings that you most want to attend. Then, let your other relatives know you would be happy to make plans with them at a later date.
Budget Wisely
During the holiday season, it can seem like you’re being bombarded with ads from every direction. Realistically, you know your child will outgrow any gifts that they receive this year, but you still want to give them a few presents.
It’s important to budget wisely so that you don’t end up buying gifts that your child truly does not need. At this time of year, it can be tough to rein in your budget. With all the expenses that accumulate for new parents, you don’t want to stretch yourself even further by going overboard with holiday spending!
Communicate
You might feel like your other family members have high expectations for you during the holiday season. But what if you simply can’t take on some of those expectations this year?
Maybe you just don’t have the time to cook several dishes for events. Or perhaps you won’t have the money to buy gifts for all of your relatives. In this case, communication is key. Be clear with your family about what you can and can’t participate in this holiday season.
Stick With Routines
Throughout the holidays, everyone’s routine is disrupted. Even you might feel more fatigued and distracted than usual simply because you can’t settle into your usual routine!
For babies, routine is essential, and your child might be fussy or agitated because they don’t know what to expect on a daily basis. Do your best to recreate their routines no matter where you are.
For instance, if you’ll be staying overnight at a relative’s house, try to make sure that you go to bed and get up around the same time, and bring any comfort objects that your baby likes to keep them calm.
Remember What’s Most Important
On days when you’re feeling truly overwhelmed by everything to do with the holidays, it’s a good idea to take a step back and simply think about what’s most important to your family.
Remember, your child won’t have any concrete memories of their first holiday season. As long as they know they are truly loved, they will be happy and content. If you put this first, your holidays will be memorable.
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Are you feeling stressed about your first holiday season as a parent? Talking to a therapist can help. Contact me today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.