Holiday Stress Busters for Parents

Parents have it pretty rough during the holidays. In addition to what everyone else goes through, they have a family to raise. Having kids means more shopping too. Plus, the kids are on Christmas vacation. That means you have to find babysitters or stay home and watch them yourself. Sometimes you even have to take them shopping with you. Your back is aching. Your feet are swollen. You can't possibly take another step. Take a nice long nap. Then try these holiday stress busters for parents who are just a little "holidayed out".

Send the kids packing. Drop the kids off at Grandma's. Make sure they bring their jammies and toothbrushes, They're going to need them. Do dinner, a movie and drinks. Spend the night at a fancy hotel. Think of it as an early Christmas gift for the two of you. Make sure you book the honeymoon suite with the hot tub. Order breakfast in. You'll come home refreshed and ready to take everything the holidays can throw at you.

It's hard to top that last one. Why try? Holiday stress busters don't have to be complicated. How about taking the whole family to a holiday play or movie? Make sure it's a funny one. Laughter is one of the fastest ways to nix stress. After the movie, hit a drive through coffee place for a round of hot cocoa. Drive around to look at the holiday lights before calling it a night.

Got snow? What are you waiting for? Get out there and have some fun in your own personal winter wonderland. Challenge the kids to a snowball fight in the back yard. Make snow angels. If you have a lot of snow, make snow bricks. You can use an old milk carton as a mold. Use the bricks to make an igloo, a snow fort or just a couple walls to hide behind while you pummel each other. Going to the gym isn't the only way to burn calories or stress.

Here's some more fun things to do in the snow:

*Go skiing or sledding in the park for free.

*Catch snowflakes on your tongue.

*Make snow candy.

*No sled? Try these ideas.

*No snow? Try this.

Dust off the board games. Spend a nice quiet evening at home, just you and the kids. Kids not into board games? Just start playing. Maybe they'll join you, maybe not. Either way, you'll have a good time. No board games in the closet? That's a shame. You know, even convenience stores sell playing cards. When was the last time you played a game of rummy? Even the smallest kids can learn Go Fish, Old Maid or War. If they're not into it, that's OK. They can play video games while you do your thing. Holiday stress busters for parents don't always have to include the kids.

More from Jaipi:

Teach Your Kids to Make the Perfect Snowman

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