Consider trying these quick and easy stress-taming tips to help you have a happier holiday season:

Take all of your grandiose holiday plans and cut them by half!

The Holiday Season is a flood of festive invitations, endless errands, and enough To-Dos to make even one of Santa’s elves dizzy with busy-ness! But remember, you are only one person and there are only so many hours in a day. If you commit to every holiday party and attempt to create every potential festive memory under the sun, you’ll be over-tired, stressed-out, and not much fun to fa-la-la with!

Instead, choose your holiday activities wisely by putting some thought into your RSVPs and planning only a few special family activities. Figure out which commitments and plans hold the most fun and meaning for you and your family, and place only those on your calendar.

Have Extra Ho-Ho-Ho On-Hand

Although we all know that, in a pinch, moms can create some pretty amazing things with 2 saltines and some left-over ketchup packets, do yourself a favor and keep a couple of extra holiday treats and a simple holiday gift or two on-hand. That way, when you awake with a start in the middle of the night, realizing that you forgot to pick-up a festive snack for the 4th Grade class party or that you need a last-minute grab bag gift, you can rest easy and forego the midnight Walmart run!

‘Tis the season to decrease & delegate!

If you start feeling the onset of holiday overwhelm – stop, take a step back, and try to see if there is anything you can do to decrease your To-Do’s. Is there anything that isn’t a top priority on your Holiday “Joy-ometer” that you can let go of to free up some time and space in your calendar? Is there anything on your agenda that can be shared with or delegated to a family member, friend, or even outsourced to a reasonably priced errand service.

Regardless of how you choose to do so, take a look at that incredibly long holiday To-Do list and see what you can manage to cross off or seek support with. The holidays are a season of sharing – so share some of your To-Do’s and make room for some festive fun!

Give your Self the gift of some ME-Time Now™ this Holiday Season!

In the midst of all the merriment, be sure to spread some of that holiday cheer to your Self by committing to at least one activity each week that is solely for you. Whether it is a hot bath after the kids are tucked in, a coffee with a friend, some peaceful solo-shopping, a quiet tea in front of the fire… whatever makes a little holiday bliss for you!

Give your Self the gift of some time for yourself – to settle down from the day’s festivities, catch your breath, and indulge in a little of your own Peace & Joy!

Today is this first day of school for both of my daughters, and boy, are they excited!  It made my heart so happy to see them get on the bus with smiles on their faces this morning, knowing that we had a wonderful family summer and confident that the new school year will bring many new and fun-filled opportunities.

As I turned to walk back down the driveway toward the house, my own smile never faded – the kids are in wonderful hands for the day, and it is the first time in a while that I have a day to myself. Ah-h-, the sweet, simple joy of a peaceful house and a warm cup of coffee, with the whole day ahead of me!

What will you do with your “First Day Back to School” day?

Before you dive head-first into your home or work To-Do list, please take a moment for your Self and check out my August article on

http://www.newbymom.com/detail.php?id=72

Happy New School Year to you & your family!

Looking for some age-old favorite kids’ sing-alongs for sharing around the campfire or in the car this summer?  This website not only provides the lyrics to tons of songs you, your kids, and even Grandma and Grandpa will know, they also provide free downloadable mp3 recordings.

http://freekidsmusic.com/traditional/index.html

Pass out the lyrics, plug-in the iPod, and let the singing begin!

At our house, summer skin protection is an absolute MUST.

I’ve heard many people over the years say that they aren’t worried about skin cancer because, if they get it, the doctor can just remove it, so it isn’t a big deal.  Well, as the daughter of a Dad who died from Melanoma with no known prior family history of it, I’m here to tell them otherwise.

Skin cancer is a VERY, VERY big deal, and if you are unfortunate enough to get the really bad kind – Melanoma – like my Dad did, it can very quickly become life-threatening.  Melanoma is extremely aggressive and can spread to other major organs and systems throughout the body if it is not caught early.

So again, at our house, summer skin protection is an absolute MUST.

Especially important to understand is that much of the most serious sun damage related to skin cancer often occurs during childhood.  My Dad recalled spending many childhood summers swimming in the lake all day long without any sort of sun protection, and getting burnt so badly that his shoulders blistered and peeled all summer.  His initial Melanoma occurred on his shoulder blade area.

My family has found that the “old-school” zinc oxide products work best for our kids and stay on the longest (even though they tend to leave my already very pasty younger daughter even paler when it is first applied J).  Baby Blanket brand stick works great for our kids’ faces, and Baby Lizard/Blue Lizard (which our wonderful family dermatologist recommended) is great for all-over body protection.

Here are some more helpful family summer sun protection tips:

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/summer-skin-care-kids

When it comes to your kids, make sure you’ve “got ‘em covered”!

(& that “applies” to you too!)

If you are a Lowcountry mom who likes to be in the know, please let me introduce you to a new friend who I know you are going to love –

NewbyMom.com is the go-to resource center for Lowcountry moms!  This exciting and informative mom-site provides everything from reviews on childcare centers, doctors and schools, to inspirational stories on life, health, fitness, beauty and community, and even provides a marketplace to buy or sell used goods!   For moms who love to shop, they also have unique mom-made, mom-approved gifts!

I am honored and thrilled to say that I have been invited to join the Newby Mom team as a contributing writer!  You can connect with other Lowcountry moms and resources, as well as read my recent article, at: http://www.newbymom.com/index.php.