Woah. How did this happen? It feels like I was just crying over my son starting Kindergarten. Listen up moms, it’s going to be a busy month and we all know what’s looming: no school for 2.5 weeks. We are here for your morning moment of peace cue sipping coffee and going to help you tackle this month with festive holiday content and much more!

• Parenting Teens: Navigating the teen era can be tricky, we have some tips to help.

• Mom Guilt: Give yourself grace with these strategies.

• Falalala: Mark your calendars! December is here and it’s busy.

WELLNESS

Show yourself (I’m talking to you, mamas) some compassion.

We're all familiar with the term "mom guilt," a sentiment experienced by every type of mother, beginning the moment you find out you are pregnant. Personally recalling a moment with my second child, attending a client dinner the night before I found out I was pregnant, I regretted those few glasses of wine. Mom guilt is that pervasive sense of not doing things right or not doing enough, with the fear that it may have enduring impacts on our kids. It's a fleeting emotion for some, while for others, it's a recurring struggle.

It's a universal experience among moms, and if you've felt this way, know that you're not alone. Undoubtedly, you've encountered various pieces of advice on the topic and inspirational Instagram quotes that are often easier said than done. 🙄

Want to hear from real moms who work on overcoming the feeling? Check out this piece by Self.com. A few of my favorites…

💕“You don’t have to be everything to everyone all the time.”

💕“Don’t let unrealistic expectations rob the joy of the present moment.”

💕“I realized my daughter needed her mom to have a healthy mind and body.”

Takeaway: it's okay to take time for yourself, make mistakes, and certainly show yourself some compassion.

Now, let's rethink any mom guilt we might be experiencing. Here are a few tips I'd like to share with my fellow mamas:

• Address negative self-talk. Write down what you are feeling and revisit those thoughts later; you might find that you can challenge them now.

• Build a supportive network. Unfortunately, other moms can sometimes be the source of our guilt. Surround yourself with supportive people, even on social media. If you're following someone who only showcases the best times, it might trigger negative feelings.

🌟If you're seeking new ways to expand your mom circle, we delved into this topic more extensively in a previous newsletter – take a look!

PARENTING

Teen behavior: discipline vs. punishment.

It can be hard to figure out how to discipline our kids through the various stages of adolescence. I’m often questioning my approach – was I too harsh or does it look like I’m just letting them get away with it? Did the punishment fit the crime?

According to Very Well Family…

Discipline: Teaches children new skills, such as how to manage their behavior, solve problems, and deal with uncomfortable emotions. (i.e. time out or removal of privileges)

Punishment: It’s about controlling a child, rather than teaching the child how to control himself. And most often, punishment changes the way a child thinks about himself. (i.e. spanking)

The punishment approach is on the decline for Gen X and Millennial parents. So, what is the RIGHT approach when dealing with teens?

Mom blog, Moms of Tweens and Teens, tells parents to rethink “How do I punish my kid, and what consequence do I give them?” to “How can I strengthen our relationship?”

• Normalize mistakes. Having open communication, trust, and respect between the parent and child. If you have frequent, nonjudgmental conversations with your child where you listen to what they have to say, they will feel heard and may be more likely to talk to you when challenges, such as handling peer pressure or drug and alcohol use.

• Understand consequences. Natural consequences can be the best teachers in certain situations. But it’s important to ensure the natural consequences will teach your teen a life lesson. 

• Freedom means growth. Consequences won’t work if it’s implemented to control our teenagers.

If you’re in your teen parenting era, these podcasts can offer helpful advice to navigate this tricky time of life.

AND ALSO THIS. . .

Experiences > Toys (at least sometimes 😜)

Instead of drowning in a sea of toys this holiday season, consider gifting experiences. While some families choose a trip as a Christmas present, there are numerous other ideas to broaden your child's horizons and create opportunities for quality family time. I’ve done this in the past instead of birthday parties – living in Central Florida offers ample opportunities for fun instead of a toy.

👂I’m listening… now convince me!

1. Less clutter - messy homes can be a significant source of stress. Experiences not only take up no room but can also reduce stress and anxiety through activity. A double win!

2. Bonding - engaging in activities with your child can improve relationships and bring you closer together.

3. Growth - gifts like museum visits, lessons, or camps allow kids to acquire new skills or develop an interest in something new

If I've piqued your interest in taking the experiential route this holiday season, let me assist you with this list of great ideas, including one of my favorites:

Parent/Child Coupons: Quality time can be challenging to come by, especially with siblings. These coupons are redeemable by the recipients for any activity or meal of their choosing.

🎁 Now, adults can receive many gifts that take up room. Need ideas for someone who already has everything? I bet they haven’t EXPERIENCED everything.

TRENDING

SNIPPETS

CALENDAR

It’s the first day of December. Stay up-to-date on this month’s happenings!

🐭 December 4 – Walt Disney Day: This is an easy one to celebrate. Head over to Disney+ and pick out your favorite classic. Personally, mine is Cinderella.

🕎 December 7 to 15 – Hanukkah: Happy Festival of Lights!

🌚 December 21 – Winter Solstice: This date marks the shortest day of the year.

🎄 December 24 – Christmas Eve: It falls on a Sunday this year! Here are a few new traditions to start this Christmas Eve.

🎅 December 25 – Easter: JUST KIDDING, of course, Santa Claus is coming to town! Merry Christmas, mamas! 

🎊December 31 – NYE: The kids will have a blast ringing in the new year with this festive drink!

🎨 31 Days of Christmas. Looking for a screen alternative? Blogger, Cassie Scroggins, tons of crafts and activities to occupy your littles.

🥞 Breakfast is Served. Reindeer style! Surprise your kids with these festive pancakes and I’m sure a big smile (and thank you) will be sent your way.

🥨 No Baking Required. These pretzel wreaths are so cute and easy to make. I think this would be perfect for my son's school party!

🎄Christmas Game Changer. The most aesthetically pleasing light switch for your Christmas tree from Amazon.

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