I left my house at 12:45 today expecting to get a little bit of holiday shopping done. I didn’t walk back in the door until 6:45! Where did the time go? Surprisingly I did not get that much done.
Part of the time I was searching for ideas. The other part of the time was spent searching for ideas I already had. My to do list is growing by the day, and I am doing my best to try not to get overwhelmed by it all. I must admit it is very tough at times.
My brain started spinning when I was thinking about how both of my children’s birthdays are close to Christmas as well. What I decided was to not think about that now, and hope for some really good after Christmas specials, even if I only have a few days to take care of the birthday plans :-0 In addition, I will know better afterwards what the kids could still use.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, we find it useful to after opening gifts collect some of the toys to give back slowly on other days. This way young children who get bored easily, and overwhelmed easily, have something new to play with for a longer period of time.
Shopping for me personally is harder when I don’t have my husband with me to bounce ideas off of. However, going by myself is easier than my husband and the kids coming along. Trying to get anything done with the kids there is very hard. Someone wants out of the stroller, the other wants to go on the mall rides, or they get hungry even if you just fed them lunch before walking out the door.
Even though I would much prefer to have my husband with me to help with decision making, he might not feel the same. Generally speaking he does not like shopping. Sometimes when the conditions are right, and it is not too hot, not too cold, he is perfectly rested, and we are searching for something he is interested in, than he might enjoy it, somewhat.
Hubby is a young, strong, healthy guy. Somehow though the majority of time we go shopping, within 10 minutes of entering the store his back starts to get sore, the feet hurt, and the headache comes on. My biggest tip is to make sure, just as you would your children, that your significant other is well fed before entering the mall. It definitely helps with their shopping mojo.
How do you stay calm with a growing to do list this time of year?
Part of the time I was searching for ideas. The other part of the time was spent searching for ideas I already had. My to do list is growing by the day, and I am doing my best to try not to get overwhelmed by it all. I must admit it is very tough at times.
My brain started spinning when I was thinking about how both of my children’s birthdays are close to Christmas as well. What I decided was to not think about that now, and hope for some really good after Christmas specials, even if I only have a few days to take care of the birthday plans :-0 In addition, I will know better afterwards what the kids could still use.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, we find it useful to after opening gifts collect some of the toys to give back slowly on other days. This way young children who get bored easily, and overwhelmed easily, have something new to play with for a longer period of time.
Shopping for me personally is harder when I don’t have my husband with me to bounce ideas off of. However, going by myself is easier than my husband and the kids coming along. Trying to get anything done with the kids there is very hard. Someone wants out of the stroller, the other wants to go on the mall rides, or they get hungry even if you just fed them lunch before walking out the door.
Even though I would much prefer to have my husband with me to help with decision making, he might not feel the same. Generally speaking he does not like shopping. Sometimes when the conditions are right, and it is not too hot, not too cold, he is perfectly rested, and we are searching for something he is interested in, than he might enjoy it, somewhat.
Hubby is a young, strong, healthy guy. Somehow though the majority of time we go shopping, within 10 minutes of entering the store his back starts to get sore, the feet hurt, and the headache comes on. My biggest tip is to make sure, just as you would your children, that your significant other is well fed before entering the mall. It definitely helps with their shopping mojo.
How do you stay calm with a growing to do list this time of year?
