HOW TO SURVIVE AND EVEN ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS WHILE PREGNANT OR WITH A NEWBORN - COVID EDITION 

The hustle of the Holiday season is only heightened when you’re expecting a present of your own (or recently had one). And although this year may not be filled with gatherings and events there can still be the added stress of holiday-shopping, virtual or socially distance  family gatherings and of course this years topic of conversation, covid-19.  This time of year  can be a lot for someone carrying around a large bump under that Christmas sweater or even a new bundle of joy. So what’s an expectant or new mom to do when the eggnog is out of reach? 

Here are our top holiday-survival tips to help make the season merry and bright: Covid Edition

Set expectations: Be kind to yourself and let go of your expectations of a "perfect" holiday. Your table doesn’t have to look like it’s out of magazine, Martha Stewart won’t be judging your meals, and even if you can’t bend down to hang ornaments, your tree will still look beautifully decorated from the middle-up.

Share the responsibilities:Balance is the key to getting through the holiday’s unscathed.

Toss the schedules and routines down the chimney:The holiday’s can be a busy time whether you are seeing family or doing zoom call christmas dinners, don’t add more stress to your mocktail by sticking to a regimented schedule and/or routine with your newborn. Babies 0-3 months adapt fairly easily to any environment. Go with the Holiday flow and “let it go…

Delegate: It's ok not to be superwoman and most people don't expect you to be, especially during this special time in your life when you’re either carrying around a massive bump, or a new babe.  Ask others to take on tasks like holiday meal prep, gift buying (online and gift cards are perfectly acceptable or forgo gifts), etc. Don't try to do it all yourself.

Take part in the festivities: Just because you can't drink doesn't mean you can't cheer and say goodbye to 2020 and HELLO to the new year. Create a festive mocktail or have some sparkling water/juice on hand so you don't feel like you're being left out. This is probably one of the most hectic and demanding time in your life. Allow yourself to pause and take in the festivities, participate in conversations and not run around. Kids grow up quickly and the holidays are those times when you want to be able to take it all in.