Chubby little preschooler hands wrapped around treasured ornaments as I tried my best to oversee the decorating of our tree.
My boys were young, barely out of diapers and — try as I might to make some sort of magic out of decorating — the noise of my young sons arguing over who would hang the ornaments meant the whole experience felt more like barely-controlled chaos than magical memory-making.
“I need a break,” I whispered under my breath and to my husband. Then, I hastily locked myself in my room for a moment to reset and calm myself from overstimulation.
It was there, in the quieter-but-not-all-that-quiet space that I realized the weight of pressure had settled on me. I was reminded of something deeper: Christmas was never about creating magic. It’s always been about resting in the miracle. The miracle of with — God with us.
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For many of us, emotions can feel like a mixed blessing—“positive” emotions give spice and vitality to life, while “negative” emotions are the obstacles that lead us into sin and thus are something to suppress. But what if emotions, both the delightful ones and the uncomfortable ones are a precious gift from God?
I remember the season vividly. The laundry was piling up, my toddler was refusing naps, and we were stuck eating the same three meals over and over again. I was drowning in the overwhelming pressure of motherhood, battling postpartum anxiety, and feeling triggered by the constant mess and toddler conflict. The endless to-do list felt impossible to tackle, and my mind raced with all the things I wasn’t getting done.
Slowing down? Unhurrying my motherhood? It sounded beautiful, but felt impossible. And yet, deep in my soul, I knew something had to change. I longed for peace in the everyday moments, for a rhythm that allowed me to catch my breath.
It didn’t happen all at once. Learning to create rhythms that support slow living was hard. It took time. But slowly, I began to make space for rest and a gentle pace in my day-to-day life...
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I remember the feeling of utter exhaustion in the early years of parenting. My brain, body, and spirit were perpetually tired - deep in my bones tired. I suppose, since every body and every story is different, some parents coast through sleepless nights without much difficulty, but if you’re reading this, I'll venture a guess that you may be navigating the foggy world of sleep deprivation that’s so common when parenting babies and toddlers (and sometimes even older kids). Sleep deprivation is one of the toughest parts of early parenting, and it’s easy to feel like you’re just trying to make it through the day on autopilot. But take heart—there are ways to support yourself and get through this challenging phase with a bit more energy and optimism. Let’s dive into some strategies that can help you thrive even when your nights are less than restful.
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Having support as a parent is so valuable–whether that’s from involved grandparents, daycare and school settings, reliable babysitters, and of course, co-parents. But there is just something so special and encouraging about walking through the parenting journey with other parents who are on the same path at the same time. Bouncing ideas off each other, receiving solidarity in tough moments, and sometimes even physical support during tough seasons like postpartum or during a health crisis.
Sometimes, parents may have friends or siblings who have kids the same age, but their parenting approaches might be different. This can be challenging, and make it even more meaningful when you find families who you align well with.
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