Holiday Stress Relief, Single Parent Style
Oh, my. This has been a rough week in my single parent home.
My eighteen-year-old daughter has been writing college application essays like crazy. She also has finals this week. She also had multiple varsity soccer games to play. My thirteen-year-old son had quizzes and tests. And a band concert.
They’re only with me halftime, but it felt like double time.
And me? Just your typical holiday craziness, and them some. Put up the tree, shop for gifts, fill out financial add forms since my daughter will be in college next fall, meet work deadlines. Oh – and run a household solo.
The stress of it all chipped away until I got sick. Headache, chills, sore throat, runny nose, tired as heck.
But tonight, I feel great. How did I do it?
1) I slept. When the body is run down, sometimes you just have to let go off all the things bothering you, lay your head down, and sleep. Let the body heal itself. This helped a lot.
2) I drank grapefruit tea in the morning, and a shot of tequila at night. Old home remedies really do work wonders.
3) I ignored xmas shopping – it can wait another day – and I focused on my work deadlines. Once I meet those, I’ll have all the time in the world.
4) I carved out time for the financial aid stuff. It’s got to be done, and actually didn’t take that long.
Finally, and best of all – I went and watched my daughter play soccer. They beat one of the best high schools in the area. Then I went and watched my son and his school band play their concert. Putting family first makes all the difference.
By the time the middle school band was playing Mars by Holst, I wasn’t thinking about one stressor in my life. I immersed myself in the sounds of trombones and timpanis, clarinets and flutes, and my son kicking ass with his trumpet section. (The band played great – I truly had shivers up my spine.)
Holiday stress may have slowed me for a day, but I kicked its ass in the end.
Ommmmmmmmmmmmmm.
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Comment by Nicki
| December 18th, 2009
Some really good advice in there. Last night saw me making fudge at 10pm after working all day, making and cleaning up from dinner, going to my daughter’s winter concert, and hitting the grocery store. At some point I turned to her and moaned, “Why do I not keep alcohol in this place?” I think if I can play it off as a cold remedy I can get past the disapproval. Huh. And I thought I was the parent.
Nicki´s last blog ..After yesterday…a fluff piece…
Comment by BigLittleWolf
| December 18th, 2009
Yep. I can empathize. Finals week here too. Projects. Last minute runs to the art supply store. And I have to wrap a box of cereal (we leave for school in 6 minutes). Don’t even ask. No tree yet. Ornaments? I’m thinking pinecones from the backyard. Yep. One of those weeks. Happy holidays all the same!
BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..Don’t stick your tongue in my ear. Please.
Comment by Stacey O
| December 18th, 2009
I want to thank you for this post. It helped me remember what’s important during this time of year. Myself and my kids. This is our first christmas solo and it has been a huge stressor on me. Then with work and my volunteer efforts I stress and then so does my back. UGGHHH! Thank you again for this post.
Comment by Travis
| December 18th, 2009
Sounds like my week. Choir concerts, Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts transition, SAT testing and the fender bender on my son’s car.
And I woke up very tired and slightly sick from not sleeping well all week. I’ve been popping Vitamin C.
But, sleep is becoming the big problem. Brain doesn’t want to shut off at night. lol
Travis´s last blog ..I Accidentally A Sentence
Comment by Andrea
| December 18th, 2009
I like one and two (though change tequila to something else and that would be even better).
The key is knowing that everything can wait when it comes to family.
Andrea´s last blog ..It’s Friday.
Comment by Mindy/Single Mom Says...
| December 18th, 2009
This week has been crazy-busy for me too(hence my lack of blog posts.
I’m glad you didn’t let the sniffles get you down. A shot of tequilla at night helped? Really? Or is that just what helped you sleep? ;)
As for Xmas shopping, I started AND finished mine all on Wed morning. It can be done!
Mindy/Single Mom Says…´s last blog ..Men, Women, Attraction & Chemistry
Comment by Laura
| December 18th, 2009
Gosh its such a hugely important time for your daughter! She must also be needing a little down time!!
I have also kinda ignored Christmas shopping! My son has NOTHING yet – lol – and I only get paid on sunday! So really leaving it last minute!
Laura´s last blog ..It was the year of love
Comment by mama llama
| December 18th, 2009
Yay! Glad to see you’re feeling better. It is a tough time of year, and the first time I have done it all completely solo, so I have also had to learn how to balance work, fun, kid time and alone time. It has been wonderful–but it is so easy to forget my health in the process.
Best of luck to your daughter. This is such a special time for her and I’m happy to see you such a big part of her process as well.
Be well, Dads.
mama llama´s last blog ..Holiday joys
Comment by Heather
| December 18th, 2009
Hope you get to feeling better soon!
Heather´s last blog ..pics
Comment by Sandra
| December 18th, 2009
You know what you needed ? A naughty nurse to nurse you back to good health. Poor David :(
I did my Xmas shopping early, and I am so glad it’s done. I don’t even want to go to Safeway to buy food since lines are long and everyone seems stressed about the holidays.
Sandra´s last blog ..Finally Friday
Comment by Just Me...
| December 18th, 2009
Tequila is a wonderful medicine!!
Either you’re cured or you don’t care!!
Hope you’re feeling much better! :)
Just Me…´s last blog ..Sit, Nicky….
Comment by Ginger Magnolia
| December 18th, 2009
My stress release? Banging peppermint candies (in baggies) into tiny pieces for holiday candy. :) Worked like a charm!
Ginger Magnolia´s last blog ..Bitch, Please
Comment by Kat Wilder
| December 18th, 2009
Feel better.
And when you do, can you come on over to my house and deal with my stress?
Please?
Kat Wilder´s last blog ..Should women man up?
Comment by dadshouse
| December 18th, 2009
Kat – I know a great way for a man and woman to deal with stress… Sex is the magic elixir! Chakra clearing, for sure. (You knew that was coming)
Comment by Keith Wilcox
| December 18th, 2009
have you tried Matcha powdered green tea? It’s high in the amino acid theanine which is a muscle relaxer and mood enhancer. I started drinking the stuff three years ago when started getting interested in the japanese tea ceremony. I learned that it’s grown specifically as a stimulant and mood enhancer for monks to be able to concentrate and relax during meditation. I know, sounds all kooky and such. I swear it works :-) I think Clark Griswold could have used some!
Keith Wilcox´s last blog ..Almightydad Top Dad Blog List – Updated
Comment by notasoccermom
| December 19th, 2009
mmm I never thought of a Hot toddy… glad your stress levels have reduced and you are back on track for a relaxing and happy Holiday
notasoccermom´s last blog ..Holiday Stress doesn’t have to be
Comment by Matty Thoughts
| December 19th, 2009
Perfect set of priorities. Take care of yourself before you can take care of everything else. Then family. Then the extras. Nice list.
Matty Thoughts´s last blog ..Six Word Saturday
Comment by krn
| December 20th, 2009
Excellent, Dad’s. Sounds like you listen to your body and your heart… and respond with the perfect mix of family time, self-care and pragmatic task tackling.
If I lived near, I’d stop by with chicken soup and help your kids tuck you in for the evening when you’re feeling lousy.
Take good care~
Comment by Danielle
| December 21st, 2009
Sometime the stress and pressure make things even better when all said and done.
I hope you have a more relaxed tequilla enduced Holiday!
Danielle´s last blog ..I refuse to be a New Years Resolution’rs
Comment by Mark
| December 21st, 2009
Glad to hear you are on the mend! Never heard of grapefruit tea, interesting, I will have to look for it. We have to take care of ourselves to take care of ourselves.
Mark´s last blog ..No Room At The Inn
Comment by Jack
| December 21st, 2009
The holiday season can’t end soon enough for me.
Jack´s last blog ..Three Tips For Gaining New Readers & Driving Traffic To Your Blog
Comment by SDMktg
| December 22nd, 2009
It’s been a busy season to be sure. End-of-year work stress is building and this is my first year as a full-time single parent. I was 50/50 like David until this past fall when the kids’ mom moved away for a job and they stayed with me. On top of it all I’m hosting my family on Christmas Day so their are schedules to coordinate, lots of cleaning, gifts to buy and wrap, and all of the decorating.
Sunday night I was feeling the pressure of it all so I grabbed our jackets and we went to one of the communities famous for Christmas lights and walked around for a couple of hours. Seeing how excited my kids got over every display really helped me relax and I am so grateful that I get to spend the holidays with them. I don’t have time to be sick.