How to Enjoy the Holidays with Your Family

Is the holiday season a time of joy, or do you wish it could just all be over already? You don't have to suffer through the holidays!

1. Set boundaries. You don't have to have Aunt Edna stay with you for two weeks over the holidays if she upsets you and/or your family. She can stay in a with other family, a hotel, or her own home.

2. Eat what makes you feel good. No, ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner isn't the best choice unless you've just gotten your tonsils out, but start enjoying your food.

3. Bring foods you can eat to events. Sure, gluten-free, dairy-free cookies taste different, but at least you'll have something on the buffet line.

4. Sit down with the people you love and discuss holiday expectations. This includes your kids. A ten minute conversation now can save hours of frustration on the big day.

5. Change things up! Just because your family has done something for 50 years doesn't mean you have to do it if you are uncomfortable.

6. Create family traditions. #5 doesn't mean you need to ditch everything you've ever done before. Keep the traditions that give you joy. Tweak traditions you kind of like to make them your own.

7. Do as much, OR AS LITTLE, as you like.

8. Take time for yourself. Don't have any extra time? Make some. You're a grown up, and you really can take time for you when you need it.

Create a new Holiday for yourself! Here's how we're doing that with Festivus:

1. Only inviting our kids, keeping it small
2. No cooking, we're ordering Chinese take-out
3. We're creating family picture books that include a note from each person to have when we're apart
4. We made t-shirts to commemorate the date
5. We've talked to everyone to make see which parts of holidays they like so we're all comfortable, happy, and full of joy

Are you creating joy this holiday season? Share how at hardymom.com/contact

Thank you for joining me today!

Want more? Go to HardyMom.com and you'll find ways to live well, grow, and enjoy your life again -with any health challenges.

I'd love to hear what you think about this episode! Send me a message at HardyMom.com/contact

Have a blessed week,

Jen