You might be thinking, “She wants to quit Christmas? A mother of four? The Christmas that celebrates Jesus, joy, and peace on Earth?” Yes, indeed! I am officially over it. I’m exhausted from the way we, as mothers, navigate the holiday season. It’s no longer about honoring the birth of our Savior. Instead, the next month will be filled with chaos disguised as Christmas cheer.
1. Family Photo Madness
Perhaps it’s just my household, but the only successful holiday photo I’ve ever captured was when my kids were all asleep. Getting four boys and one adult male to dress up, smile, and stand still is a near-impossible task. It would take a miracle—or a lot of sedatives—to get them to cooperate. I did manage to get a decent photo once, thanks to a year when I found matching pajamas. After over 60 attempts, I finally snapped a moment of stillness. This year, I might just resort to using their school photos glued to some festive paper. What a delightful way to get back at them for years of photo resistance!
2. The Annual Christmas Letter
Every year, we receive those lengthy Christmas letters detailing the “amazing” year of the Smith family. I often find myself tempted to write a brutally honest one for the Adams family. “Dear friends and family, this year, no promotions or awards here. My husband works hard and is a great guy, but we’re a hot mess. The boys have wrecked everything we own, and I’m just trying to survive the chaos. But they are wonderful, and they put up with my insanity, which makes them extraordinary.” Despite the madness, we do share love and laughter. Merry Christmas from the Adams family!
3. Decorating Dilemmas
Ah, Pinterest—my nemesis. I’ve given up on trying to create the perfect holiday display. After years of painstakingly decorating the tree only to have it destroyed by a child or an errant toy, I’ve decided to let the boys take charge. In the past, the tree was only decorated from the waist down, but now they actually manage to get ornaments up higher. Last year, I almost enjoyed a quiet evening until the tree toppled over. This year, I’ll be securing that tree before the ornaments even come out of the box.
4. Holiday Gatherings
Holiday parties seem to multiply each year. Although I’ve hosted my share, I now find myself overwhelmed by the obligation to attend others. I want to be a good friend and neighbor, but the joy of these gatherings often turns into a chore. I hereby declare a moratorium on holiday parties for this year—let’s just catch up for Valentine’s Day instead!
5. Christmas Plays
In my pre-kids days, I dreamed of having my little ones in charming Christmas plays. However, my reality was a bit different. My attempts to organize a Nativity play at church led to late-night sewing sessions and chaos at rehearsals. These days, I simply let my boys participate while I sit back and enjoy the show, free from stress.
6. The Toy Assembly Nightmare
I think we’re nearing the end of Christmas Eve toy assembly battles. No matter how early I buy the toys, my husband insists on waiting until the last minute, resulting in late-night frustrations filled with confusing instructions. It’s a challenge that tests our patience and humor but ends with the joy of seeing the kids’ faces on Christmas morning. Of course, it’s all worth it—at least until next year!
In summary, the holiday season has become a whirlwind of expectations, chaos, and exhaustion. While I appreciate the moments of joy, the stress often overshadows them. This year, I’m focusing on simplicity and laughter, embracing the beautiful chaos that comes with family.
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