…we want you to tell us what's new with you! Have you embraced a new intention, or set an un-resolution about what you'll let go of this year? Affirming a new choice you're making with others, whether quickly or in detail, magnifies your power in making it real.

We are part of your village, and so is everyone else in the TPEM community. Create a post in the Facebook group here to share your “what's new with me” so we can wholeheartedly support you - and who knows which other parents have already been through the journey you're entering now and what kind of support you'll find!

Anyone else watch “Bad Mom’s Christmas” this year? Felicia and I love it - my favorite part is the opening narration that calls out how ridiculously hard dedicated parents work to make the holidays the best it can possibly be for our kids - and how impossible it is to live up to this standard!

 

It’s no secret that there’s a lot of pressure we put on ourselves, and that society puts on us. Here are 3 ways to take some of it off of this past Christmas and the ones to come:

 

 

When I was 7 years old my family moved over Christmas time, and ALL of our Christmas decorations were stuck in storage! Buying all new things was out of the question, and my parents hated the idea of one of my childhood Christmases being anything but magical. Luckily we were an artsy craftsy family. So, together, we all made ornaments out of wrapping paper, sparkly pipe cleaners, and a big roll of holographic snowflake stickers that still lives on in my craft closet!

 

What started out as a disaster became a very special and memorable Christmas. Almost 30 years later, the ornaments that lasted are some of my most cherished ones on my tree.

 

 

 

There are usually more quintessential Christmas activities we want (or feel pressured) to do than we have time for in December. Likely, you had to skip something you didn't actually want to skip because you ran out of time and energy. But guess what? Most of them you can still do!

 

It’s a simple thought, but most of us get so caught up trying to make Christmas feel perfect that we forget rational concepts like this. It felt like an epiphany to me when I had this thought the year my son was one. I really wanted to make a “mistle-toes” art print with his little feet, but was way too tired before Christmas to do it (normally I’m a scrooge about hand and foot print art, but this one hits right me in the holiday feels). But on Jan. 15th the light bulb came on, and I just did it!

 

The following Christmas, when I unwrapped that sentimental treasure, I was more proud of myself for following through on doing something important to me than ever before! Now when I look at his little green footprints I feel both mama joy AND pride in breaking free from the limiting belief that things must be done on one set timeline. This year we’re planning a winter family photo shoot for later this month.

 

 

If something from this holiday season got you down, take time now to assess it so you can work towards changing it next year. Sometimes the solution is as simple as a little planning or mindfulness. Other times we have regrets or frustrations that touch deeper matters of the heart, and we have to look below the surface: Were your values compromised? Was there something you wish you had stood up for? Did you veer from your own vision to make other people happy? 

 

It may be uncomfortable at first, but doing this now can genuinely empower you to get the kind of Christmas you really want next year. We do a lot of this kind of work with our clients, so if you’re feeling stuck on how to get more of what’s important to you and your family into your life (regardless of the season), just reply back to this message to see if we can help you get it. We’re here for you.