HomeTeeter Totter ~ Finding a Balance Between Me-Hood and Motherhood
Gender: female Date of Birth: January 01, 1973 Member Since: September 11, 2007 Last Signed In: January 09, 2009 Blog Views: 9142 Send To A Friend Sign Guestbook Add as a Friend
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Ho Ho Ho (or something like it)
There’s a nip in the air and my bank account is strangely empty. All signs that the holidays are already upon us. Where did this year go?! I remember quite well being young and hearing the adults moan about how fast time was going and how it can’t be time for the holidays yet! I would always think: 1) You should sit in my math class with me. Time stands still there. Time flying!? I WISH! 2) Why is that a bad thing that the holidays are here? No school! Gifts! Cool weather! Good food! The holidays ROCK!! As an adult, my viewpoint has changed a little. Time seems to be hurling faster every year. I’m not one to feel blue about getting older or have any fears of dying. I’m simply convinced that I slipped into some other dimension after 30 where 1 year is actually 1 week in my old world. I am at a loss to explain this feeling of life whizzing by me like a bullet train any other way. I also don’t revel in the holidays like I used to. As an adult (and wife, and mother…) they now mean: Time, money, cleaning, errands, stress, lists, shopping, travel… need I go on? Santa is earning those cookies this year. That’s the other thing! ALL THE FOOD! It used to be a good thing. Now I’m dreading it. Not enough to really exercise mind you. Just not really desiring the weight gain (so I think I’ll skip it.) How about you? Are the years whizzing by? Do you still have your child-like zeal for the holidays like you once had? Maybe I just need to drink some loaded nog and pop in a Christmas Story? 7 comments from 5 users
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posted by
theurbanmom
on Nov 20, 2008 at 07:03 PM
posted by
Hope
on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:56 PM
I dont care for holidays. My birthday is the day before xmas. It has always sucked. besides the fact that my family pretty much taught us that it was all about money and giving us MORE to shut us up....yeah im a big hummbuggg kinda gal and probably always will be. i dont teach my kids about santa...that is just a bunch of crap to sell more toys, i see no joy in lying to my kids. i dont mind eating the food because i have great self esteem and dont mind the rounded edges i have formed over the years. I like the family time NOW that i am married and my husband family are great people and not all about money and the show you put on. If i could get rid of all the grumpy (so called happy holiday shoppers)clogging up the road ways and stores then holidays might not be so bad. posted by
creatress
on Nov 21, 2008 at 09:36 AM
That's really interesting to get two such opposite opinions replying. I'm really glad you both took the time to post your own feelings. Like Hope, my brithday is also too close to Christmas for me (New Years Day.) That's a good point Hope about it adding to the consumerism frenzy and stress of planning for the holidays. I hadn't thought about it before. Theurbanmom, I love that you adore the holidays so much. You seem to have a great outlook on what they really mean to you and make the most of them. posted by
catclan
on Nov 21, 2008 at 07:21 PM
I know exactly how you feel. I feel the same way. I'm just not in the mood this year. Every year I get less and less interested in all the hoppla. My kids are so excited. So, I have to get up and go for them. Just breath and walk past the food. I hope I can. UGH...
posted by
creatress
on Nov 21, 2008 at 09:48 PM
It's ok catclan. I know what you mean. We'll all drag through the holidays together!
posted by
wifemotherdaughtersister
on Nov 22, 2008 at 05:56 AM
oh the holidays... the yearly reminder of this culture's mass consumerism of plastic crap, and processed food from god knows where. but for children i know it is a magical time and i'm trying really hard to find the perfect balance of good memories for her and sanity for me. posted by
creatress
on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:47 AM
My aunt just agreed that we would do hand-made goodies for each other this year. My in-laws were already on-board, so I was THRILLED at this latest development. I WAY prefer this to the endless shopping, expense, hustle, bustle, wrapping, etc.. I think the gifts are more special (and tasty) and much easier on the pocket book. I agree wtih you about mass consumerism. It concerns me when I look at my son and his generation. I've alway worked hard to show him a better way, but he very much has a "disposable" mind set that puts my teeth on edge.
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Good post!
I love Christmas. My family doesn't get together much anymore. Most of my extended family is gone and we just haven't all reproduced like they did in past generations...
However, I have a three year old,. So while I've always enjoyed the holidays, they are especially important now. My son has his own image of Christmas and it's important to remember that. Pre-baby I had trees decked out in large hand-blown ornaments, lots of ribbon, multiple trees - adult decorations. Most of those are still sitting in storage. As we were talking trees the other day he got excited about "the tree with the soft orange and red stars, silver bells and lots of ornaments". It took me a minute to realize that's all he's known, because I had to find nonbreakable kid-friendly ornaments! He has no idea we've ever had a tree look any different.
We enjoy making new traditions and finding local outlets like parades and festivals that are family friendly.
Economics being tight this year, we're just wrapping things we need to buy anyway and enjoying them as "gifts". My son has outgrown a favorite chair so we're replacing it, but he won't get it until Christmas. He needs a new blanket for preschool nap time. I asked him if he wanted it now or for Christmas and he told me to save it for Christmas.
It doesn't matter the extra time or effort, the reason for the season keeps me going. And I enjoy giving presents to friends whether they are Christian or not. We enjoy each other's holidays as they have them as well. We try not to get overly PC about the whole thing.