What I Do Is Enough.

[WhatIDoIsEnough]

This is what I need to keep telling myself.
I always put too much pressure on myself in everything I do for others. I always think I'd get judged.
1 example Elf on the Shelf. In previous years I felt I ' had' to upload pics on SM because everyone did. I'd see others and feel mine wasn't as good. I'd then spend loads of money on props, costumes and other things.
This year apart from spending maybe £10 on stuff we've used what we have. And simplified it.
Example tea party with barbies / spiderman. Using pretend food.
Kids have loved it

When it comes to school plays I always made costumes. It took me maybe 5 evenings each - I cannot sew well !
This year I ordered off vinted or Facebook. And guess what my kids didn't care !

I've previously woken extra early when I've realised the dc have no uniform ironed for school , because I felt they'd get judged they are KS1! Yep batshit I know.
Last week similar frantic panic of not ironed. Chucked it in tumble for few min. Shook and they wore it. They didn't care .

That's just a few silly examples. But with life so hectic especially leading up to Christmas. These small changes have made a huge difference!

But i guess I'm trying to say. I over think and worry ' I should be making a costumes from scratch or I shouldn't send my kids in an un ironed uniform occasionally ' I have to tell myself life's fucking hard and manic. And we're all trying to keep our head above water

What you do is amazing. Having young kids is hard. You never actually get everything done, there is aways something else. Be kind to yourself. Don’t iron uniforms. Put it on hangers to dry it.
Honestly social media is crap. You have to step back if it’s making you feel like you aren’t keeping up. This is a busy time of year, try to enjoy it rather than let the never ending list of jobs bury you.

Yes I have stepped away from SM it's a strange relief
The things for schools alone has been bonkers this year they've added in so much to do. Not a single school day since 3rd Dec has there been nothing on / to remember/ to do/ to take in. My head spins with it all

Social media can suck the joy out of parenting if you get too into it. Everyone is showing off what they think are their best sides.

Yep. I don't do elf on the shelf or xmas eve boxes. I work 4 days with a long commute. Also getting work done on house. I used to worry about doing enough but I can't be arsed now.

I never did elf on the shelf for my children as I found December really stressful with too much to do already alongside work etc.
A school mum said she did do it as they needed to do as many fun things as possible as the dad of the family had died.

Me doing it- would have pushed me over the edge.
Her doing it -made her happy.

So it doesn't matter that others are doing as their lives in general will be different to hers.

You will do yourself a huge service by just not posting on SM. No point, quick view, move on, who remembers or cares? Just do you, everyone else is so busy doing them, and any odd person who may comment is an arse! Xx

I agree about stopping posting on SM. That way you’re focused on doing things you actually enjoy, which is more fulfilling, rather than doing something for show.

Also, it’s worth remembering that by posting to ‘keep up’ with others, you’re then causing your own followers to feel pressure to keep up with you. And it goes on and on.

Do you judge others for not doing the things you do /at a certain standard?

I've often found that most of the people that worry so much about what others think 1. Judge others themselves and /or 2. Feel better about themselves/better than others when they have /do x,y or z.

Hence the constant pressure to do more ,more ,more.

Just because people post things on social media does not mean you need this mythical 'pressure' does not exist unless you choose it

No wonder why children have social media issues if parents blame it for what they do, children copy parents

You chose to do these things so choose not too

Of course it's enough.

I've never done Elf on the shelf or Christmas Eve boxes. I did cave in and get two Elves but they literally don't do anything other than bring the advent calendars on 1st December and occasionally move around the house. No props or effort. My dc couldn't care less tbh.

I've never made a costume, as long as children have got something to where for the nativity or whatever. They don't care if you made it or bought it.

Honestly I think you're better off using the time and effort to do something nice together. A walk to look at the Christmas lights, watching a movie, posting their letter to Santa.

Christmas is enough work without making extra work for yourself.