Christmas parenting

Stay strong this Christmas with Actimel #ad

As much as I love this time of year I can feel my stress levels rising. Both me and my husband have been battling our way through illness this week which has put a stop to my Christmas preparations. I like to be organised but try not to do anything until my daughter has celebrated her birthday at the end of November. This means that December is full of present buying, card writing, meal planning, Christmas concerts and trying to keep the children calm in the run up to the big day (no mean feat!).

However, I am trying not to worry about it too much, as it is going to happen one way or another! I love this video from Actimel showing Santa in a training camp, learning how to prepare for Christmas Day – if only there was something similar for us poor mums to help us keep on top of everything!

Despite my coughs and sneezes I have managed to stay strong and positive and keep a list of all the outstanding tasks which I will be ticking off over the next few days. We love a traditional Christmas and I kind of think it is going to happen regardless, so I will be trying my best to make everything go smoothly.

opening Advent calendars

Thankfully our little Elf brought our Advent box at the start of the month which has kept the children happy every morning and evening with building blocks and Christmas stories to share. Somehow our Elf is having adventures around our house on a daily basis (thankfully I haven’t forgotten to move him – yet!).

elf on the shelf activities

Luckily I had already booked trips to visit Santa as well as the Pantomime so there is plenty to keep us busy and take my mind off the to do list. That just leaves cards to write, presents to buy, a few last minute handmade gifts to finish and a food order to book. Us mums are brilliant at multi-tasking and thankfully I have lots of ideas for getting through the next 2 weeks.

visiting Father Christmas

I’m hoping that all my readers are staying strong this festive season and are on top of everything. Sometimes I think there is so much pressure to be perfect and have Pinterest-worthy lives, but the reality is stuff happens and planning falls by the wayside. I love to make Christmas special for my family and I know everyone will have a great time this Christmas, even if I don’t make our own Christmas crackers, hand write place settings for everyone, or have an amazing colour co-ordinated tree!

I would love to hear how you are staying strong. Are you super organised and plan in advance or do you panic buy on Christmas Eve? Let me know in the comments below and don’t forget to check out how Santa gets on at the training camp!

Post brought to you in association with Actimel

Actimel contains Vitamin B6 that contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. It also contains Vitamins B6 & D that contribute to the normal function of the immune system.

10 Comments

  • Reply
    Rhian Westbury
    December 20, 2016 at 11:17 am

    I’ve been quite lucky and have been super organised this year which is good. Hope you’re all feeling a bit better for the big day x

  • Reply
    Lubka Henry
    December 20, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    Good vitamins and minerals are vital for the little ones. Great post!

  • Reply
    Chelsea Elizabeth
    December 20, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    Looks like you’ve been getting very festive! My nephews brought Elf Of The Shelf for a sleepover last week and I found myself scanning Pinterest for hours for ideas!

    I also attempted a gingerbread house but it ended up looking more like a shed!

  • Reply
    Zoe IKIWN
    December 20, 2016 at 6:23 pm

    I’ve been uncharacteristically organised this year, for the past god knows how long I had been panicking on Christmas Eve! I just knew I couldn’t face it again so most of my christmas shopping was done in the Black Friday sales. x

  • Reply
    Sarah
    December 20, 2016 at 8:51 pm

    Great post! I am surprisingly organised this year, now i’m just worrying I’ve forgotten something major!! Last year I was still wrapping at 4am Christmas Day Morning!!

  • Reply
    Rachel
    December 21, 2016 at 11:25 am

    I try and make a list of everything I need, going as OTT as I can think of and then slowly cross everything out in the hope I have remembered everything x

  • Reply
    Jazmin Williams
    December 21, 2016 at 1:13 pm

    This sounds really useful! I think I’m pretty organised this year, thankfully.

  • Reply
    Kira
    December 23, 2016 at 9:05 pm

    There is always so much to do this time of year and I love baking so pinterest is definitely a place I go, I wish I could have a life like I see on there!

  • Reply
    Laura
    December 27, 2016 at 11:42 pm

    What a lovely post and I totally agree things can get on top of people at this time of the year – it’s so easy to succumb to the pressure and stress of it. Lets hope everyone had some time to relax

    Laura x

  • Reply
    Michelle Twin Mum
    December 27, 2016 at 11:53 pm

    It sounds like you were really organised. I like to be the same and have all my shopping done by the end of Nov, so I can then relax and enjoy the time. Mich x

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