Juggling Extended Family During the Holidays

by Miriam Caldwell | More from this Blogger

23 Dec 2008 11:09 AM

If you live close to home or if your family and your spouse's family is from the same area you may find yourself juggling a lot of family activities along with your church activities. It can be tiring to find time for yourself and your own family when you are rushing from party to party.

First you need to make sure that you are not letting these events get in the way of the things that are most important. Make sure that you continue to have scripture study and family prayer every day with your family. You should continue to have family home evenings each week and dinners together as often as you can. This will help your family to stay close during the rush.

If alternating years for Christmas Day and Thanksgiving is not going to work with your extended family try to suggest an alternative date to have the big family party. This works especially well if your family lives close to you. You can have one Christmas party on the Saturday before Christmas and another one the Saturday after. This way everyone on both sides of the families can schedule to attend these events.

Do not be afraid to say no to certain activities if it just gets to be too much for you. Some families have traditions on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas. Tell your family you will choose one, and ask them, which one is the most important to them. This way you are still going, but you also have time for your family.

Finally to keep the focus on the real reason for Christmas, take time at each event to reflect on your blessings or to share the Christmas message. Some families may be part member families, and then it may be better to share things you are grateful for rather than make anyone uncomfortable.

Related Articles:

Creating New Christmas Traditions

Five Ways to Focus on the True Meaning of Christmas

Christmas Music

Learn more about Miriam Caldwell

Miriam is a SAHM mom of three children. She has a daughter who is seven, and two sons, four and two. She loves being a parent and spending time with her children.

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