8 Comments

When I was a teenager and pretending not to care about any traditions I was REALLY SECRETLY disappointed when my parents would capitulate to my moods and just let things go. It made things feel unsteady and like they weren't so important after all. So STICK TO IT CHRISTY! They will thank you someday. And you're right -- whether you're dealing with angsty teens or melting down toddlers or the inevitable sicknesses, you just can't hang your hat on the magic of the season relying on any one (except God :) ). Toasting you with some eggnog as I watch another awful-but-can't-look-away-why-do-i-love-these Christmas movie xx

Expand full comment

Good luck with the traditions! My brother (13 years younger than me) is particularly nostalgic about the family moments from when he was an eye-rolling teenager. We all have to hide our surprise and just roll with it!

Expand full comment

You’re one of about three people on the Internet whose parenting takes I actually want to read and take note of. Keep em coming!

Expand full comment

Thanks so much for the links to Amy Welborn. I used to read her blog when I first became Catholic (2007), and have not seen it in a long while. I really enjoyed the article on Willa Cather. I hope you feel better soon.

Expand full comment

The endless sickness is really demoralizing. I don’t think I have been sick so much as I have this fall, and usually I just muddle through but way grumpier, and then have to apologize to my family when I finally feel better and realize just how awful I felt and that mayyyyybeeee it would have been better to slow down and rest more. But I don’t know what you do, because people still need to eat. There are some good homeopathic remedies we’ve had success with for lingering coughs bordering on pneumonia and also endless sinus stuff.

Expand full comment

My siblings and I are all grown now-- on Thursday night we still texted my mother and asked her to put our old shoes out for St. Nick's (even though we weren't even there to see what gifts we got!). We went through the typical teenaged don't-care phase and came out the other side even more appreciative of the holiday traditions and memories that our parents gave us.

Expand full comment

re teenagers and toddlers: 100% yes in agreement.

Hope you feel better soon!

Expand full comment

“Traditions matter! Even if they aren’t received with the same enthusiasm they once were as young children, I think that they will appreciate these memories from when they were teenagers.”

I needed this!! My kids (10-15yo) were not excited at all about St Nick presents this year. The Christmas traditions I love aren’t getting the same reaction they have in the past, and it’s felt heartbreaking to me.

Expand full comment