How to get back on track after the holidays – Time to get back to basics after the holiday season. Crittenton Hospital (now Ascension Providence Hospital) sent us these trips for helping to get your routine back after Christmas and New Years celebrations! We all know as parents that the many joys and rewards we receive from our children on a daily basis far outweigh the struggles and the stress however, at times it is difficult to see it that way. As we come off the hectic days and nights following the holidays we often find ourselves overwhelmed with the task of trying to get “back on track”. Our daily routines have been disrupted and we tend to find ourselves in a state of chaos. Most of us just need to take a deep breath and get “Back to Basics”. Here are some simple ways to help do that…
OAKLAND COUNTY MOMS FAMILY HEALTH ARTICLES
How To Get Back On Track After The Holidays
Restore order to your basic routine. Get back to your schedule. Young children thrive on a regular routine. They cannot tell time so the routine is a comfort to them. The daily routine should be flexible but should have enough structure that the child can feel secure enough to know what generally will happen next.
How To Get Back On Track After The Holidays – Tips
- Try to get children back on their regular meal times
- Get the child back on their regular nap schedule. If the child does not require a nap, they still will benefit from “quiet” time. This “quiet” time should be around the same time every day
- Try to get back to the bedtime routine that may have been disrupted over the holidays. Many bedtime struggles are due to a lack of nightly routine. Children that have a regular nightly ritual such as dinner, bath, story time and bed generally do not have bedtime battles because the child knows what to expect. The routine can be whatever works in your home the key is to keep it the same
- Save your Sanity—Tips to help you organize your time. Here are some simple things you can do to really help save your sanity. Sometimes making a few changes in your household routine can give you more free time to enjoy with family.
- Make a weekly menu—check recipes and make a list of everything that you need for the week. Save the lists and rotate them on a monthly basis and then shop from your list. This simple task will save you not only the time of trying to decide what you are going to make for dinner every night but also save you unnecessary trips to the store for that one ingredient you may be missing.
Household chores can be overwhelming and sometimes we tend to get caught up in the many things that need to be done around the house. Set priorities and do what needs to be done that day. Involve children in some of the simple chores. Children love to help. They can sort laundry, pick up their own toys, dust the furniture and help in the kitchen. And if you are one of those people that things have to be just so and your killing yourself to get them that way—lower your standards, everything will be there tomorrow but your children will grow up before you know it. Alphabetize the can goods when they are in college!
Take time for yourself and don’t feel guilty. Make sure to put a few minutes aside each day for some guilt-free time. It is important for parents to remember that they still need to spend some time on themselves. Whether it be a long bath before bed, sneaking a few minutes during nap time to read a chapter from a favorite book or a night out once a month with your spouse, you will find that it will recharge your batteries and make those hectic days much more bearable.
Enjoy these special years—they truly do go so fast!
For information and registration please call Ascension Providence Hospital Medical Center’s Community Health & Education Department at 248-652-5269.
What are you tips on how to get back on track after the holidays?
