Surviving term four

Well… we are into our final term for the year with only 10 weeks to go until we break for the Christmas holiday celebrations. Doesn’t it go by quickly? As a teacher, I always found this time of year very tiring. Three quarters of the year has flown by and, I don’t know about you, but even now I tend to drag myself through the rest year. Some points I want to make…

• Say no to others! You don’t need to do everything. Share the work around to other people. The more you do, the less others do.
• The better you feel about yourself by being a super worker, the less effective you may become in your role as a parent! Leave work on time or early and spend time with your family.
• Train up others and give them the chance to feel good about themselves too.
• Don’t take on anymore work than you have to! The world is not going to collapse and cease to exist if it’s not done now. Most ‘urgent’ tasks can wait until tomorrow.

Kids get very tired around this time of year too. They have been working very hard during their school year and as learning is mentally draining they can get tired and cranky.

• Give them a chance to relax and have fun.
• Exercise is a healthy way to relieve stress for you and your children – so do something together.
• Make sure they get enough rest and nutrition. Take away is not a continuously healthy option, however easy and convenient it is. I know :)

Your children will not remember all the Christmas presents you worked extra hours to pay for, but they will remember the fun and love you all had together. It is good to help others, but not at the expense of your own sanity and family.