Wednesday 12 October 2016

Marla Ahlgrimm Prepares for the Holidays

Marla Ahlgrimm
Get ready, the holidays are coming! While the time between Thanksgiving and New Year is full of joyous occasions, Marla Ahlgrimm points out that it is also stressful. Ahlgrimm recently sat down to discuss ways to mitigate stress and anxiety during the busiest time of the year.

Q: What is the most stressful part of the holidays?

Marla Ahlgrimm: There’s no single answer to this question. Many women feel pressured to put on the perfect Thanksgiving dinner while others feel anxious about what to get their kids for Christmas. A vast majority of families tend to stress over money during the holidays. Weight gain has also been cited as one of the least desirable side effects of the season.

Q: Do you have any advice for women hosting extended family over the holidays?

Marla Ahlgrimm: First, I would suggest speaking up and saying “no” to having extra people in your home if it’s going to cause stress. Not having enough space, too few bathrooms, and a sudden lack of privacy are all perfectly good excuses to ask family to look into other accommodations. Another point of view, especially for moms with young children, is to embrace the chaos and know that it very likely means extra hands to take care of the baby, clean the house, and cook dinner.

Q: Is there any way to avoid weight gain between November and January?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Minor weight gain throughout the holidays is common. Often, this is nothing to be concerned about and your weight will go back to normal soon. I think it’s better to enjoy your family time – including the food – than to stress over a couple of pounds.

Q: What do you say to those moms and dads who simply can’t afford to make their children’s Christmas special?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Remember that your children don’t need “stuff.” The material things in their life are not what they are going to remember when they become parents. The best gift you can give your children is time. A family walk in the park, pajama and movie day, or baking cookies are valuable memories you and your children will cherish for life.

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