I like to think of the holidays like a huge storm.  You know, the kind the news reporters hype up and tell us to prepare for.  We hurriedly go out and buy “emergency supplies” to be ready for it.  Then the storm comes and it is just that, a storm.  You either are prepared or not, but after it passes, it’s calm. The holidays really are like that: For months we try to select just the right gifts, decor, food menu, party plans, etc. Within hours it’s over. I feel like the calm after a storm.  However, it is a good feeling.

This year we tried not to get too caught up in hype.  We tried to focus on the reason for the celebration.  We tried to do more as a family.  We tried to serve and give more than receive. We were prepared.  Prepared not to listen to the hype, not to get caught in the holiday snares, not to forget how blessed we are as a nation, family and culture.

Even though the “big” gift giving holiday is over, the holidays still envelope us. We are still surrounded by our families, time, and gifts. My tween reminded me again of simplicity. We had gotten a MegaBall for the family for Christmas. It’s an ice cream maker that you roll around as a family…you can use it camping, as a game, it’s lightweight and doesn’t require electricity, etc. Weird gift, yes. However, when we asked our children what they would say was the best thing they did on holiday break so far, it was, “having a ‘ball’ making our own ice cream as a family.” It wasn’t all those expensive gifts, it wasn’t anything that anyone had asked for, it was an inexpensive gift and time together laughing, collecting snow since we ran out of ice for the outside and creating “the best ice cream Ben & Jerry’s ever saw.”

It made me realize that being calm, organized and prepared far outweighs all the hustle and bustle of not being prepared and stressed.  It was the quiet moments together reenacting the Christmas story, reading holiday books, drinking hot cocoa, watching films together and just the time spent, together.

What are some of your families favorite “after the storm” activities?

Whether you are staying here, traveling somewhere exotic, visiting family or all of the above, tweens still need a routine.  My tween asked me several times over the weekend what our schedule was.  Here I was thinking of a break…non scheduled activities and spontaneous fun.  She wants to know what to expect and what kind of fun we will be doing.  Routines are important whether it’s daily school routines or holiday vacation.

Creating a routine for holiday break can be fun and not as structured.  We have decided to list a few things the kids would like to do, things they have to do (science project) and then things that Mom does when they are at school that they now need to help with. (cooking, cleaning, errands, etc.)  Together we will create daily schedules based on the health of all members home and the feeling.  Requirements…at least 2 pajama days for crafting, cooking and cleaning where we are not rushing around trying to do too much.

Rexanne Mancini states that, “routines are an ideal way to keep your family and children calm, secure and at ease with life’s variables.

Children will thrive with schedules that are easy to understand and accomplish, yet flexible enough to change if circumstances warrant. We do not want to rule our families with an iron fist, adhering to “the schedule” without compromise; however, good routines will keep your family organized and will establish an environment of tranquility for all family members.”

I also believe it helps children learn time management.

So, with two weeks with our kids at home and most scheduled activities on break as well, reconnect with your tweens and have fun with your routines!  Let each child make some decisions and choose what they would like to do.  Compromise with each other and have fun, it is vacation, right?!

What are some of your holiday vacation plans?  Have you created a holiday break routine yet?  How do you merge expectations, fun and tradition?

We will be hitting the road and heading to Ohio this week for Christmas. Each year we make the 12 hour drive to see our parents, cousins and friends we have left behind. While none of us enjoy the long road trip, we do enjoy the time we have once we arrive. The one thing that makes it even more special is some snow while we are there. We have our fingers crossed for a White Christmas again this year.

Jake and Sam enjoying last years NC snow

I miss snow. I can’t say I miss days and days of it non-stop or wind chills below 0, but I do miss snow. I spent my entire childhood in Ohio and I remember the snow forts, snow men, snowball fights…you name it and we did it when the white stuff came raining down. I am sad that my boys don’t have that same experience so if we can get just a few flakes during our 4 days at my parent’s house I would be happy.

Last year the boys lucked out…snow in OH and snow here in NC. Who would have expected that?! I have already been checking the weather channel and it seems we may get lucky again this year….it may even snow on Christmas Day!  Of course, just like the weather here, that forecast can (and will) change 10 times between now and December 25th. I can only hope we get just enough for some fun outside and not so much that we add 4 hours to our car trip

What about you? Are you heading north for the holidays? Hoping for snow?

It was just yesterday that my tween was screaming as I tried to get a picture with her and Santa.  Then she loved him and believed in him and wanted to take pictures, write letters and leave cookies.  Now, well, we have to keep her silent as not to ruin her younger siblings magical beliefs.

It was last year that she questioned his existence.  Then it happened.  I messed up.  I wrapped “Santa’s” gift with the same paper as another gift from us.  The result of an innocent mistake was a confirmation she had long been waiting for.

Many kids start questioning the belief of Santa around 8 years old.  Then more and more children start making fun of others who still believe.  My daughter questioned for a year or so but held out for the magic in her heart.  Then, she was too observant and had too many unanswered questions about the validity of the “North Pole” and people realistically being able to sustain life in the temperatures and environment.  Logic prevailed.

We have been trying to have her keep the silence and she has humored us by slyly smiling as phone calls to Santa (grandpa) are made, letters are written, cookies are made to be left, etc.  She has asked us why we should “deceive” my son with the belief.  Our youngest is still too young to believe yet.  We simply said, “don’t shatter others’ beliefs, we still believe.”

This discovery also led to all the other “magical” holiday fairies’ validity.  Hence, I get handed a tooth and asked for the “fairy money.”  To which I reply, “there is no payment beyond disbelief.”    The sad reality of my growing tween!

Has your tween discovered “Santa?”  How and when do you manage our tween with their questioning minds?

Tomorrow may be the first official day of winter, but we’ve already seen our fair share of cold weather.  As temperatures drop, it is important to remember certain winter safety tips, that will help keep your family safe this holiday season and well into the new year.

Fire safety is especially important around the holidays.  Not only do more families enjoy fires in the fireplace, but candles are put out and trees are adorn with lights.

According to the National SAFEKIDS Campaign, 40 percent of residential fires that kill children are caused by children playing with flammable products, such as matches. In addition, a lack of working smoke alarms can significantly increase the chance of dying in a residential fire. However, by taking appropriate steps to make your home safe, you can protect your children and your family from fires:

• Keep flammable products, such as matches, lighters, and candles locked and out of the reach of children.
• Install and maintain smoke alarms in your home.
• Maintain heating equipment: regularly have your furnace inspected, and turn off and unplug supplemental heaters when sleeping.
• Only burn logs in the fireplace with a fireplace screen in place to protect against sparks. Have your chimney cleaned and inspected yearly.
• Develop several fire escape plans from each room in the house and practice them regularly with your family.
• Make sure items such as clothing or blankets do not cover lamps that are turned on.

Click here to read the full article, for more tips on family fire safety and burn prevention.