Christmas Presence

Instead of trying to squeeze everything in this Christmas, try doing the opposite and stretch things out. I’m sure many of you can relate to the belief of never having enough time over the Christmas period. With visiting family and friends, buying presents and preparing for the day, we can put ourselves under so much pressure to make a perfect Christmas. Couple that with the increased financial pressure that comes from it all (especially within the cost of living crisis) and we have the potential for a great deal of extra stress over the festive period.

I want to encourage you to let go of the idea that Christmas needs to be picture perfect.

With so much to remember to do and buy, it can often feel like we’re not enjoying it as much as we could. Sometimes, and often without realising it, this stress and angst can also be passed onto children.

“I want to encourage you to let go of the idea that Christmas needs to be picture perfect.”

As we head closer to Christmas and life gets busier, it’s important to slow down with our children and focus on the things that truly matter.

Mindfulness opens up an opportunity and space to set an intention. By making an intentional decision to do what matters, you will create a more meaningful season for everyone. This month is the perfect time to teach your children about mindfulness, as you spend time together over the Christmas period.

Mindfulness can be a strategy to help manage emotions and keep everyone calm, while also giving families an opportunity to bond together. While the focus of this article is children, mindfulness works best when you practise alongside your child. Adults have just as much to benefit from a mindfulness practice as children, and this could be an exciting new approach to life for the whole family.

Studies show that practising mindfulness as a family can help parents feel compassion for themselves and their children, improve listening skills and increase warmth felt by children from their parents.

By engaging in a few mindful experiences we can help our little ones focus on gratitude, joy, giving to others, our family and friends and the magic of this special time. One of the best gifts we can give our children is having a grateful heart. Studies show that gratitude for children can be a powerful tool in developing empathy, resilience, self esteem and improves their ability to cope with stress.

“Mindfulness has the potential to benefit your child in so many ways, and they might find that it affects their entire outlook on life”

Each morning in December, maybe just before or after they have opened a door on their advent calendar, encourage your children to focus on something or someone that they are grateful for. Make it a part of a regular routine to encourage connection and consistency. They could get creative and think of ways to express what they are grateful for by drawing a picture or making a little gift for someone else.

Scheduling in down time is something that I would encourage you to do. Don’t feel pressured into doing an activity every day. Some days it’s lovely to just sit and look at the Christmas lights on the tree and curl up to watch a family movie. It’s all about finding joy in the small moments of togetherness.

Mindfulness for children is also a powerful strategy in addressing many extra needs that some children have. Children with sensory processing needs or self regulation needs, or even emotional regulation needs can benefit from this transformational practice. This is a perfect time to explore this subject as it is usually the time when you are with each other a lot more than a regular week.

Mindfulness has the potential to benefit your child in so many ways, and they might find that it affects their entire outlook on life. Trying it out over the Christmas holidays might just alleviate some of this year’s stress. It can be less stressful. Calmer. Not running around trying to cram a million things into your days. You could see less meltdowns, more cooperation and generally happier kids.

They won’t feel overwhelmed.
They will feel connected.
They will feel your presence.

Below is a short meditation that you can do with your children at any point over the festive period. A lovely time to do anything like this is when you have tucked them up in bed at night. Sending each and everyone of you lots of love for the Christmas holidays.

I hope you are able to spend it with the people whom you love and that everyone stays safe and well. xxx

Meditation

CHRISTMAS TREE OF LIGHT

Guide
your
children to
imagine that they are
sitting next to a huge
Christmas tree.
The tree has lots of coloured
lights – each one is a feeling
or present that they can give to
someone to make them smile.
Ask them to imagine giving that
coloured light to a person they know
and how happy this
makes them feel.

ColneLife Winter 2022