Christmas is a busy time for everyone, particularly those with small children.
Every year, I see frantic parents with trollies loaded, battling their way out of Toymaster or stressed families trying to do the food shopping for Christmas week.
Why does everyone feel the need to do everything themselves?
This year, I am embracing the art of delegation with my children. Is there actually a task that only I can do? Probably not.
I am not the only person in my house that can wrap presents, write Christmas cards and stick stamps.
I don’t have to do it all myself.
I’m going to start by getting the kids more involved in choosing or making gifts.
They have already started their own list for Santa and are now doing a list for other people as well.
Giving them a bit of responsibility as they are older is helping to teach them that they can make decisions on their own.
Shopping for small gifts (or even making them) themselves is teaching them to be more thoughtful.
Writing their own Christmas cards or even helping to make them is teaching them the value of legible handwriting and time that goes into making cards yourself.
It’s also freeing up my time for more value added tasks.
Such as sneaking chocolate from the selection boxes when no one is looking or catching up on last week’s newspapers that have still remained unread.
When challenged I simply tell them I am teaching them life skills. Do you agree?
