Parenting is hard. My wife recently shared with me a meme involving how mothers look after 1 kid, 2 kids, 3 kids and it was hilarious(Brittany Speers was the main character). Parenting any amount of kids at any age can be difficult. After doing some hands on research and also reaching out to other parents, non self proclaimed experts, I put together some helpful tips.

Keep your mind and heart focused on the right things.
1. Surround yourself with content and people that remind you of whats important. This may mean hanging out with parents that are doing things you would like to do as a parent. This may mean going to church or joining a small group of positive parents.
2. Spend time reading and meditating on what the holidays and Christmas is all about. The bible and history can be so helpful.
Experiences over things.
1. Remember through the holiday you get to spend more time with your kids, make the best of it. Commit to deleting social media and email off your phones so you can be present. Commit to limiting screen time for everyone and instead take on some fun projects, play outside or play board games. Things come and go but experiences last for a lifetime.
2. Take some time to read through the story of Christmas in the New Testament. Go through an advent calendar to help remind your family what the holiday is about. Your kids will be less spoiled, maybe, and you can enjoy the holidays way more.
3. Slow down, commit to less calendar events and make eating meals at the table a top priority.
Pray consistently and with the same pattern.
1. Discuss and Pray at dinner at the table.
  1. Discuss things you are grateful for each day, things you need support in and things you want to help others in and pray for those items. With the littles we do a Leaf(Something funny), Thorn(Something that wasnt so fun) and Rose(Something good) for the day. It works great.
Find time for yourself to rest and refresh.
1. The demands of the holidays can lead us to be weary, worried and way emotional. Take some time to step away and rest. Ask a spouse, a friend, a family member, or a church member to watch the kids for an hour so you can restart. The people in your life will thank you for that.. Trust me.
Jesus taught us how to live. He’s smart and we should listen
1. Spend time listening to what Jesus thinks about life.
  1. Read the teachings of Jesus
  2. Spend time in solitude listening to Him and bring your journal
  3. Surround yourself and your families with other people learning from Jesus.

You aren’t alone in this endeavor. Let’s all parent well through this Holiday season.

See you Sunday,

Michael