Unwrapping Sanity - A Parents Guide to Dodging Holiday Burnout.

Christmas seems to arrive earlier each year!!

And I must confess, as much as I adore the twinkling lights, the infectious joy of the festive season and a good Christmas Carol, this year's festive frenzy seems to have leapfrogged over Halloween without so much as a backward glance.

And let’s face it, being a working parent during this holly-jolly hullabaloo, is like trying to untangle a ball of Christmas lights without a festive glass of bubbly.

'Tis the season of joy, they say. Yet, amidst the festive glitter, we’re trapped in a whirlwind of decisions:

• How will the family celebrate this year?

• Whose turn is it to host the gathering?

• Who’s on the gift list and what’s the budget?

• And let’s not forget the classic parent holiday existential crisis: What on earth are we doing with the kids for what feels like an eternity?!

It's an avalanche of decisions.

And amongst all this merry chaos, there’s an uninvited guest lurking in the shadows:

Burnout.

That sneaky stress monster that loves to crash the holiday party unannounced. Burnout in parents is real! It’s not just feeling tired; it's like your energy bar hit rock bottom and refuses to recharge.

“Amidst all the holiday cheer, the endless gatherings, and the obligatory gift-giving, it's a good time to start practicing the fine art of saying NO to all the things that don’t bring you joy.”

How does this burnout thing even show up, you ask?

You might feel constantly exhausted, irritable, or just not as excited about the holiday magic as you used to be.

Ever found yourself eyeing the Christmas tree like it’s a ticking time bomb or find yourself snapping like a grumpy Grinch over the smallest inconveniences?? Burnout might be whispering 'hello.'

But fear not! The first step in this battle is recognition.

Recognising burnout in yourself and others is like realising you've been singing "Jingle Bells" with the wrong lyrics your whole life!! 

So, what’s the game plan? How do we dodge this burnout bullet hurtling our way?

• First things first, give yourself permission to press pause.

• Saying "NO" isn’t just a word; it’s a superpower! Choose what truly brings joy and ditch the rest.

• Channel your inner Santa and delegate—no one expects you to be the workshop’s sole elf!

• Take time for yourself. Treat your sanity like the most precious Christmas bauble - protect it at all costs and recharge those parental batteries.

And let’s not forget our fellow parents!

Keep an eye out for burnout signals in friends and family. Sometimes a simple “How are YOU, really?” can work wonders. Offer support, understanding, and perhaps even a strong cup of coffee when needed.

Amidst the holiday whirlwind, remember: you are not a Christmas ornament that needs to shine 24/7.

Take a breather, laugh at the tangled mess of holiday lights (metaphorically and literally), and embrace the imperfectly perfect magic of the season.