Parenting Isn't for Wimps: Christmas Vacation-- Do One Thing

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Christmas Vacation-- Do One Thing

Sometimes we feel we have to do it all. In fact, if you read articles, blog posts or books about all the things you should be doing with your children, it can be overwhelming. It's impossible to do it all!

It may not be as impossible as you think. You probably can it all, you just can't do it all at the same time.

So do one thing at a time.

With over a week left of Christmas vacation, you might be feeling pressured to accomplish many of those things we are told we as parents should do.

Well, I'm keeping it simple. Lots of at home projects. One reason is that my daughter is having a baby this coming week so plans have to be flexible for that. But also I know that trying to do it all will make for a stressed mom and kids. If it's not fun, why bother doing it?

Here are my ideas. It's an easy list really. Why not join us? Choose any seven and do one a day.

Read one book. We are reading an easy version of Peter Pan that we can read in one sitting. Then we are going to watch the movie.

We read books whenever possible in the evening. We have read Number the Stars, The Giver, Call it Courage, The Courage of Sarah Noble, Robin Hood, The Prince and the Pauper, Homer Price (part), Heidi ( a 1900s version), Behind the Bedroom Wall (WWII), Shades of Gray (Civil War), The Year of Miss Agnes and more. Last summer we read 100 picture books even though my children at home are 10, 10 and 14.

Do one puzzle.This is a puzzle that was my mom's in the 1930s. It does not have interlocking pieces, so it's very easy to knock it all apart. Anyone seen these puzzles before? One child is very frustrated by this puzzle so we've told him we'll get out an interlocking one after we finish this one.
Memorize one verse. Our verses for 2015 are Matthew 5:14-16. We memorized them last January. I would often tell the kids "glow in the dark." We decided that our verse for this coming year is Micah 6:8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good and this is what he requires of you:to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Walk one mile. We are going to walk at the park at least once next week.
Volunteer one hour. We are going to go to the shelter where we got Travis and Sasha and take some of the doggies on a field trip to a park. In the summer we take them kayaking. It's almost an hour away, so we don't get there very often.
Try one new recipe. Haven't decided on this yet.
Make one craft. We have been doing loads of craft that you've seen in the past posts on this blog. We will be starting projects for our "Week of Kindness" (or maybe two weeks) we'll be doing in February. We actually plan to do many projects next week--splatter painting, almond bark pretzels, cards, watercolor, marshmallow snowmen, Reese cup owls, decorate pillows...but if we don't get them done, no worry!
Set one family goal. We decided that we are going to try and go tubing in NC this summer. We are planning the date, finances and travel agenda.
Write one letter. The kids are going to write to their penpals in SC. `
Play one game. We've been playing Escape, a new Wii game Ty has, and Skip It. Yesterday Jasmine managed to hit a Christmas ornament and send it flying.
Draw one picture (and give it to someone). The twins are practicing their drawing and then are going to draw a picture to send to their birth father in Haiti when a friend goes down there.
Start one new tradition. If you want an easy one, light sparklers on New Year's Eve and talk about how Jesus is the Light of the World, and have each child share how he/she will be a light in the coming year. Our new tradition is that we are going to do a Polar Bear Plunge Jan 1 an hour away. We will have to get up at 6 a.m.
Clean out closets and storage areas and donate one bag of stuff you no longer need to a thrift shop or local charity. We have been doing a lot of decluttering lately because I am making the family room much more welcoming!