Is the deliberate use of media, marketing, and cultural messaging to influence children a form of grooming? Some call it cultural influence. Personally, I don't see much difference— it subtly grooms parents and grandparents as well as our children, and we don't realize it...
while the holidays are supposedly all about coming together, there’s a reason I’d rather hibernate in my stretch pants, messy bun, maybe a day or two past my last shower, and watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” with an endless supply of eggnog (more precisely, the creamy non-alcoholic kind). All that festive chaos? Not exactly my idea of a good time. As a bipolar mom with manic tendencies and anxiety served with a side of ADHD, holiday gatherings give me a little extra “something” to manage.
These holidays are for making memories, with relatives traveling great distances to connect. Instead of dreading the gathering, I offer guidelines for maintaining a calm and enjoyable meal, ensuring we cherish our time together despite our differences.