After I had kids, my visions of waking up with them in our own home on Christmas Day was sacred to me. I had no desire to pack up the car and try to make it to see all the grandparents, aunts, and uncles. In fact, we did that for the first 10 years of our marriage with three kids in tow, and I was miserable.
Let’s face it: The mom is the one who carries the mental load of traveling for the holidays
She's the one who remembers to pack everything. She's the one who's aware of the kids’ napping schedules, and knows if they can’t fall asleep in the car, everyone will pay. She's the one who takes care to make sure everyone has their favorite snacks. She's the one who will calm the kids down when they're overexcited on Christmas Eve. She's the one who will clean up the wrapping paper and make sure they don’t make a total mess everywhere they visit and don’t touch the breakables.
It’s exhausting, and it's tougher than running a marathon. Believe me, I’ve done both, and I choose the marathon any day.
But this year, with all the unfortunate things (or should I say, germs) floating around in the world, it’s best to stay put for the holidays and avoid making the rounds until you're dizzy from making sure you’ve crossed everything off the list.
I’m a homebody in my soul, and while it’s been a tough year, I’m happy to find a silver lining that exists as we continue to deal with this pandemic: We get to stay home for Christmas. And Christmas Eve. And the day after Christmas. And New Year’s Eve.
Homebodies of the world, I know you feel me on this
It’s nice to know we can actually have somewhat of a holiday too. It’s glorious to think about waking up in our own bed, not having to cater to company or watch the clock as the kids open their gifts because we have to make it to dinner.
It’s our time to shine and not feel guilty for buttoning up and staying in this holiday season.
We get to open gifts at home instead of toting them around. We can stay in our pajamas for as long as we want. We don't have to micromanage our families and make sure they have decent clothes to wear. And we don’t have to stay locked in a car, rolling down the highway, listening to anyone complain about anything.
I mean, they'll probably still do that at home, but at least we can get away from it for a bit to get some damn relief.
I know we’ve all been cooped up a lot this past year
I’m also aware so many are missing their family members and count on certain holiday traditions to get them through the winter. I don't want to dismiss that at all.
But I do know the homebodies of the world are happy to just be able to call their own shots and stay put over the holidays without worrying about making everyone else happy.
I’m happy to schedule Zoom meetings for the kiddos all day if it means I get to sleep in my own bed on Christmas Eve night, not pack up a car, and serve fruitcake in my own house to no one but my kids for breakfast.
When all this is over, we can make up for it. But for now, I know all you fellow homebodies are breathing a sigh of relief for this holiday miracle.
