Is there anything better than seeing Christmas through the eyes of a four-year-old? The sparkly lights, the sugar-dusted treats, the shiny wrapping paper, and the joyful songs all seem more delightful when experiencing them with a little one. Yet, being a mom during the Christmas season can sometimes feel a little tricky.
It is so easy to take a scroll through social media and come out the other side feeling less than. We see everyone else’s highlight reels and wonder if we are doing enough to make this season special for our families.
The truth is that you can do the Elf on a Shelf. Or you can choose not to. Bake intricate gingerbread cookies from scratch with your kids in matching aprons. Or, buy the already made puffy frosted sugar cookies from Walmart. Wrap and label each Christmas gift with coordinating paper and ribbon and calligraphy tags. Or, place all your gifts in colorful dollar store bags. Do the lovely Pinterest parties and the Instagram influencer-inspired reindeer pancakes. Or, play Jingle Bells while serving your kids instant oatmeal.
Elaborate or simple, expensive or budgeted - neither extreme makes you a better mom. Be “extra.” Be understated. Be both in a day! Just be you. Be the wonderful, loving you that God chose to mother your precious little ones.
What makes you a good mom is the love you show to your family.
You may show love through setting up elaborate elf shenanigans. You may show love through keeping your home clean and peaceful. You may show love through hours of creating handmade gifts or by saving all year to buy a dream toy. You may show love a million different ways, and it most likely will be completely different than how someone else does it on Instagram. Find what works for you and your family, and then don’t compare yourself to the rest.
However you choose to make this season meaningful and special for your children, rest in the knowledge that you are equipped by God to be the exact type of mom that they need.
So do the Elf on a Shelf. Or don’t. Your children are still going to have the most lovely Christmas because they are adored by you.
