Dear Mama,
A gentle reminder to take care of yourself this December.
You can feel it, can’t you? It’s everywhere. The pace picks up, the lists get longer, and it feels like a race to the finish line—or a slow, heavy crawl toward it. You’re exhausted, but there’s still so much to do. You want to stay in bed, curl up with a mindless rom-com, or lie on the beach… but those options just aren’t available right now.
There’s the list.
There’s the list of the lists.
There are the things that always need doing, plus day-care concerts, school awards nights, dance recitals, carols, presents to buy, wish lists that change by the hour, inboxes full of “last chance” deals, logistics to juggle, and the pressure to create beautiful memories.
It’s a lot.
And I’m feeling it too.
But can we pause for a moment? Just long enough to check in with ourselves, to create a little space to slow down so we don’t completely wreck ourselves in the process.
Because what your family truly wants at Christmas… is you. (thanks Mariah!)
Even if that’s not on anyone’s wish list.
You’re the one who remembers the reindeer carrots, the Secret Santa gift someone else forgot, the dietary needs of relatives, the emotional temperature of your child at the noisy family gathering. More than that, you’re the safe place. The soft landing. The place your little ones run to when the day gets too loud, too late, too sugary, or too much.
If you’re not okay, it becomes harder—sometimes impossible—to be that safe place.
And separately, do it for you. Slow down a little… just because you’re worth the care. That’s reason enough.
Here are some of the things I try (inconsistently, and sometimes terribly!) to remind myself of:
- What is my “why?”
If I’m fixated on a perfectly decorated tree or the fluffiest pav, am I missing opportunities for my kids to join in and create their own memories?
- Just because you did it once or twice doesn’t mean it becomes a tradition.
Christmas PJs every year are great—but if you don’t have it in you, it’s okay to skip a year.
- Recognise your capacity.
It’s okay to say no—even to things you’ve already said yes to.
- Build buffer time around events.
After the concerts or catch-ups, make space for rest at home before the next thing.
- Plan a couple of “quick meal” options.
(Coles Mac and Cheese has been my December saviour more than once!)
- Share the load where you can.
I usually do the gift purchasing (and I kind of love it). But wrapping? Getting my husband to do it with me was a total game changer. We hang out, he sees the scale of the task, and it doesn’t fall solely on Christmas Eve.
- Prioritise even tiny moments with the people who fill your cup.
Your partner, your gym bestie, your sister, your chosen person.
- “Good enough” Christmas is good enough.
Perfection is an impossible target and often gets in the way of what matters. And when wobbles inevitably strike, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed.
- Name your non-negotiable.
Mine is keeping as much of my gym routine as possible because it regulates me and helps me to keep turning up.
- Swap “I have to” with “I choose to.”
If you can’t change the task, sometimes you can change the story you tell yourself about it.
- Build in a 60-second pause when things feel too much.
One slow breath. One unclenched jaw. One softened shoulder. Micro-moments count.
- Let the kids be kids.
Overwhelmed behaviour, big feelings, and sugar-meltdowns are developmentally normal at Christmas. It’s not a parenting failure—just overstimulation.
Take what you like above.
Print it out.
Write some on a post it.
Take what fits, leave the rest.
…. And breathe!
Wishing you a Merry, Good enough Christmas