There’s something invigorating about the New Year. Many of us have this sense of a “clean slate,” the turning of a page, a new opportunity, fresh air. Whether you set a New Year’s resolution (like 45% of Americans) or not, I think most of us would agree many times there is some sort of a relief when one year comes to a close and a new year begins.
The Importance of Creating Holiday Traditions with Your Stepfamily
The holidays can be time when feelings of loss, differing expectations, and parental loyalty binds can all become heightened. However, the holidays can also be used to create traditions that promote cohesion and strength within a stepfamily.
What Not to Do During the Holidays!
Even though the Christmas carols praised the winter as “the most wonderful time of the year”, the truth is that the holidays can be beyond stressful! It is the time of year of parties, over-commitment, sugar-rushes, family conflict, and a departure from the regular daily routine. All of these can add up to a pretty hectic time of year.
The Holidays: Managing Your Expectations
The holidays tend to come with a lot of extra hype, performance pressure, and expectations. One tool that can help family members enjoy vacations, holidays, and special events is setting realistic expectations ahead of time. Here are a few questions that can help guide that conversation.
Holiday Traditions
Every family has traditions. From the way a family passes out presents, what the family eats on holiday mornings, or even celebrating a religious tradition, these traditions flow through our holidays. As children grow, move out of the house and even start their own core families, deciding which traditions to take from generation to generation is up to the children.
Four Steps for Choosing your “YES”es! and Embracing “NO!” During the Holidays
Saying “no” during the holidays seems fairly counter-intuitive, but it’s a very wise strategy for actually ENJOYING the season. Have a hard time saying, “No”? Here’s a guide for advance-planning and list-making that may give you the focus and momentum you need to change your approach.
How to Cope with Divorce During the Holidays
It is tempting to feel like your divorce is the end of your life, happiness and holidays as you know it, but there is a way to cope and endure during this time.
Our First Thanksgiving Together….
If you are newly in a relationship or you are a newlywed then this might be your first Thanksgiving together. If no one has told you yet the first Thanksgiving can be a challenging one because everyone has ideas about how the holiday “should” be spent.
Holiday traditions that may help you heal after a loss
This blog provides some suggestions for traditions that may help you heal and honor the memory of your loved one during the holiday season.
Student-Athletes: Tips on how to Stay Emotionally Fit During the Holidays
The holidays are typically an exciting time for students. This is a time for taking a break from rigorous academic schedules, spending more time with loved ones from far and near and eating traditional foods you’ve waited for all year long.
Most student-athletes have a very different outlook on the holiday season. The holidays can be a very stressful and sacrificing time for them.
