The Parent Hack

The holidays are not meant to be survived, they are truly the most wonderful time of year!  So how do you enjoy them to the fullest?  Well here are 5 tips to make this holiday season the best one yet!  Or at least the most organized and on budget ;) 

It is 24/7 with divisiveness, negativity, hate, and fear these days it seems.  The news is fine for certain things but it can be consuming in many ways, it can also set the tone for your day.  This is no different than anything we consume first thing in the morning, so be careful what those things are.  This episode is all about being aware of what information we are consuming to start our day.  Gotta be careful cause it is setting the tone for the rest of your day and week! 

Do you find yourself rushing from house to house during the holidays?  Maybe you have a hard time saying no to all those requests on your presence..  Is it possible that you over commit and find yourself running ragged throughout the holidays to please everyone else?  Maybe you just want more time for your family, more time to create your own memories..  Well you do not have to sacrifice those commitments and the potential to make your own memories..  You can have your cake and eat it to, you just have to be willing to draw some healthy boundaries..  If you find yourself relating to any of the above, or just want general advice on how to draw healthy boundaries, give this episode a listen.  

Everything we avoid is multiplied..  Our health, conflict, addiction - whatever we are putting off is quietly building up and must be faced eventually. We have to get control of these or they will control us at a future date.  In this episode Teresa and Cody talk about how you can do just that and how they too came face to face with this decision. 

We all have trouble with that thin line, the one where work stops and family begins.  In this episode Teresa and Cody explore that line and talk about ideas that could help us all manage expectations on both sides.  One big takeaway from this episode is that we get to be parents, we get to be married - so don't let work infringe on that privilege. 

Sometimes we take things for granted, especially our partners and all they do for us...  We expect more and appreciate less.  This week Teresa and Cody talk about what this does to our relationship, and how recognizing this leads to a deeper appreciation and a better relationship.  They give simple advice on how to appreciate more and expect less and end the show with a challenge for us all to do just that!  

It has been a minute but we are back and ready to roll, so we thought it appropriate to remind everyone who we are and what they can expect in the show going forward!  We have honed our focus a bit and are extremely excited to get things rollin'. 

In life we have two choices, to celebrate others or to be envious.  In this episode Teresa and Cody talk about why it is so important to root for everyone, and how this will come back to benefit you ten fold!  

This is a topic we know many struggle with, including ourselves!  Everyone is vying for your attention and it is hard to say no; we often neglect quality time with our spouse and kids for the sake of others.  While that is ok at times, it is important that you and your family get to enjoy the holiday as you envision them!  The days of running around from house to house are over, it is time to take care of you and your crew.  In this episode we share what has worked for us. We know this will help you because its done wonders for us and allowed us to enjoy the holidays instead of being drug around by them!  

Our house can be a place of peace or a place of anxiety - pending what messes your kids made or didn't make this week.  These are tips we have found and implemented to try and keep all the things in order while helping us better enjoy our time at home!  There will always be messes and chaos but we hope these tips help you create a more enjoyable space!