For all levels of teachers in every position, whether it is tutoring, homeschooling, secondary education, substituting, or elementary school, December can be just as jammed-packed as the beginning of the school year. Between Christmas performances, Holiday parties, and squeezing in special events, teachers still have to get their curriculum and grading in on top of finishing Christmas shopping and cooking the holiday meal. Here are 5 ways to take a breath, and enjoy the stressful December holiday season.
#1 Acceptance and Attitude– It took a while, but I learned to accept that every December will be this way. Engrave into your mind to look at things with “The Glass is Half Full” attitude. It is so busy and you still have to get your lessons across. Change your vision about the Holidays and accept everything with a positive attitude.
#2 Embrace All Holiday Celebrations– I remember skipping the Christmas party a few years and many of my colleagues that would say, “No, I am not going”. What better way to get effortless smiles then to participate in as much Holiday activities as possible. Join the gift exchange, go to the Holiday party, participate in the Christmas pageant. Have a holiday themed party for your classes and invite their parents and family. There is no other month in which you can embrace the celebrations and renew your soul. Participate!
#3 Get ahead of your Christmas and Holiday obligations. As a teacher, you know great planning is a top 3 necessity to be successful and stress free in this career. DO NOT wait til the last minute to shop, find teaching resources. Set things up to conquer the many upcoming obligations you know you have to do. With that said, grab this December Unit and have all your reading topics covered- nothing combats stress like not having to plan and having your teaching resources ready to go.
#4 Watch your Money! Have you ever been like me and said, “It’s ok” and just blew through your finances during the Holidays? Then you are sitting around on New Year’s Day praying that your first January pay day comes quick! Save money right now on this Freebie Holidays Around the World reading resource. In my 15 years of teaching and unto this day everywhere, I have never met a teacher that was a millionaire after the holidays. I have met many of teachers that were like, “I’m always broke after the holidays”. Find a way to not be like me and many in the past and reject your thoughts of “It’s ok”—- control your expenditures. Do ya really need it?
#5 Remember…You are a Pro! No matter what happens, you are a pro. You have all the training and know how to get through. Whether this is your 1st December or your 30th holiday season, you are valuable, you are loved, you are important. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise including yourself whispering it under your breath in between planning and meetings.
As always, take time for yourself. Do not beat yourself up if you miss something. Do not gripe and put yourself down if you forget even important obligations. You will be fine and will have better mental performance if you let things go and make a mental note to remember from it for next time.
Take a nap, call your mom, take a walk, watch a movie— A healthier teacher is a better teacher. If you have any tips, ways, or opinions please feel free to share. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone.—–
