Business Name
   
   County
   
   
   

Busy Bees Daycare & Family Centre Ltd. in Gurteen

Little Gems Montessori in South County Dublin

Saints and Scholars Creche in Sligo

Little Harvard Creche and Montessori in Rathnew

Whitefriars Creche, Montessori & Afterschool in Dublin 8

Rathfarnham Day Care in Dublin 14

Jackanory Childcare in Greystones

Tir Na nÓg Too @ Rainbows End in Dublin 5

Tir Na nÓg Creche & PreSchool in Dublin 5

Little Oaks Creche in Dublin 2

Lollipop Lane Creche, Montessori & After-School in Tubbercurry

Tots & Co in Dublin 9

Tots & Co in Dublin 4

Coco's Childcare in South County Dublin

Park Academy in Castlebar

Park Academy in Claremorris

Lilliput Lane Creche & Montessori in Dublin 22

Montessori Matters in West County Dublin

Little Busy Bees in Dublin 5


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Home -> Parent Info -> The Parent Coach

December 2009: Newsletter from our Parent Coach Marian Byrne

"There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions. "
Bill McKibben

'It's the season to be jolly, tra la la la etc..............................................'

The carols, the media and most of the Christmas movies we grew up with tell us that Christmas is a time of peace, good cheer and happy families.

Everything is (or we think 'should be') perfect.
In reality we all know (either from experience or observation) that it is not always the case.

  • Someone is missing for some reason (a parent, grandparent, sibling, friend).
  • Someone is present but their presence is a source of discomfort or stress.
  • For those already financially stretched, it brings a whole new wave of pressure.
  • There are queues and queues and queues - everywhere

There is so much or orgainse/fit it/think of.............................

In fact, Christmas is one of the most stressful times of the year but because the stress is caused by organising or partaking in such a 'happy' occasion we may not acknowledge it or even consider doing it differently.

If the above does not apply there is no need to read on.

If, however, you have ever thought that you would love for it (Christmas madness) to be different read on............

1. TAKE TIME FOR YOU.
Time is fixed (there are only 24 hours in the day and we cannot carry any over) so we cannot 'make' time. We can only look to change the way we spend it.
If you look after yourself in all of this you will be better able to look after those around you. Self care, therefore is selfless - not selfish.
2. REMEMBER THAT FAMILY TRADITIONS CAN BEGIN OR END WITH YOU!
What traditions have you been holding on to that you may not fully enjoy or which put more pressure on than you gain pleasure from?
3.H.A.L.T (Hungry, angry, lonely, tired)
If you are feeling caught up, stressed or agitated, just ask yourself am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired? If so, address the basic need or emotion before trying to swim against the tide!
4. SAYING YES - SAYING NO
If you are someone who finds it hard to say no, you may end up being totally overcommitted or resentful. Next time just ask yourself the question
'If I say yes to this, what am I saying no to?'

And

'If I say no to this, what am I saying yes to?

Often when we say yes to someone or something else we are saying no to ourselves or something important to us. Ask the question and then, if you still 'choose' to say yes, at least you are doing so conciously.

5. REMEMBER THE 3 A'S - Ask for help, Accept help if offered, Allow others to help.

Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home.
Carol Nelson

I would love to hear from you. If you have any thoughts, stories feedback or ideas you would like to share, please forward them to me at marian@theparentcoach.ie

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