Some times you just get through it!

I was thinking about Peggy Sue's comment yesterday about not having any decorations up and her kids still reacting to Christmas. Where does all the fear come from? Here are my guesses.

1. Old memories of Christmas' past, some bad, are stirred up.

2. The kids at school are wired. I think my kids feed off of that energy and just go one step further. If you picture a room full of hyper kids ours are the ones whose heads are popping up above the crowd as they leap on chairs and jump on other kids backs.

3. Warm fuzzies. Do you feel the warm fuzzies at times during Christmas? I do. When we turn on the lights to our tree. When I hear the Christmas carols. I just want to hug my whole family. Imagine those thoughts in a child afraid of love.

4.Changes in diet and schedule. The constant treats every where I go are TROUBLE for me and my diet. No problem for my boys. They shovel them in as fast as they can!! The programs have started and the parties will be soon. This means later nights. High school swim team has started too which means driving to other towns for swim meets.

What to do?

I try to keep our schedule and diet as close to sameness as I can. I try to keep things at home as much the usual as possible. BUT...it happens anyway. The hyperactivity, problems in school, escalation in anger all happen anyway.

So we just try to get through it. Remember the quiet voice, calming touch and loving words. I do believe in consequences but if we are not careful our kids have no privileges and live like prisoners. That isn't right either. I do think extra exercise and extra work duty help quite a bit. Keep their hands busy!

Remember to take care of yourself. Take time away to enjoy this season and have yourself a Merry little Christmas. You really still can.