Planning Post-Christmas Activities Prevents Family Chaos

Key Quotes

"Christmas tends not to really be over on December 25th. Many people are still off work, but even if they aren't, many kids are still off of school. To avoid going stir crazy, it is best to figure out a plan for this post-holiday time of year. Don't let it catch you by surprise."

Laura explains that the period after Christmas, when children are still out of school, requires proactive planning. She emphasizes that failing to prepare for this time can lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed or "stir crazy." This suggests that structure and pre-arranged activities are key to managing the extended holiday break.

"First, if you do plan to work, then you and your partner, if you have one, need to figure out a schedule for who is with the kids. You could trade off, and each party could take the kids out to various trampoline parks or science museums or what have you each day."

Laura suggests a practical approach for parents who need to work during the post-holiday break. She proposes a system of alternating childcare responsibilities with a partner. This strategy allows for both work commitments and dedicated time for children's activities, preventing a chaotic overlap.

"As for the time you are covering, why not make a post-holiday fun list? There might be items from your original holiday fun list that you haven't gotten to yet, but that are still available. Or you might want to repeat them."

Laura proposes creating a "post-holiday fun list" as a way to extend enjoyment and utilize available time. She advises revisiting original holiday plans or repeating enjoyable activities that are still accessible. This highlights the idea of intentionally continuing festive experiences beyond the official holiday date.

"We often plan tightly in the weeks before Christmas because there is so much scheduled during this time. It is not easy to get to all the holiday performances and parties and get enough work done to be ahead of the game for the time off over the holidays. But then we get to the holidays, and everything is a lot less tight."

Laura notes the contrast between the intense planning and scheduling leading up to Christmas and the relative lack of structure afterward. She points out that the pre-holiday period is often packed with events and work, making the subsequent downtime feel less demanding by comparison. This sets the stage for why a plan is needed for the less structured post-holiday period.

"Think through the week after Christmas, and you might just feel festive and merry, rather than harried. And I want that for everyone listening to this."

Laura concludes by advocating for thoughtful planning of the week following Christmas. She expresses a desire for listeners to experience the remaining holiday period with joy and festivity, rather than feeling stressed or overwhelmed. This underscores her core message that preparation can transform a potentially chaotic time into a pleasant extension of the holiday spirit.