So many thoughts about this edition of So Many Thoughts! I'll edit myself, however, and just say that I see you, and I feel this all. Hand on my heart for you, for everyone here moving through their days feeling by feeling.
Thank you for these beautiful words, Elizabeth, and the reminder to cherish ALL the feelings, as they come. I will take this lesson with me into this last crush of holiday festivities (of which there are many!).
FWIW, my kids have always known the reality of Santa (I remember being DEVASTATED when I found out as a child, and I didn’t want that for them), and even without that bit of magic, the season is still full of magic and excitement for them. They know to be kind to their friends who do believe, and they still love to discuss what “Santa” is bringing them for Christmas. Whenever that particular idea dissipates, know that the magic of the season will not. ❤️
Yes! There is joy (and some relief) when your kiddos become part of the magic-making team. Last night my husband and I watched The Family Stone with my daughter and her girlfriend, eating dinner and having drinks (they're both 21). So delightful! Trust your kids when they're ready to move on.
My daughter is 10, only slightly older than Fitz, and I’m pretty sure this will be our last true Santa year. For her entire childhood I’ve felt anxious about the “lie” and started simply saying that Santa only comes to those who believe. It was a challenge the last few years, since her bestie’s family doesn’t believe in participating in any of the things: Santa, elf on the shelf, Easter Bunny, Halloween, tooth fairy. I really didn’t know if it was getting through, but kept with the simple explanation that you must believe. Out of the blue the other day she told me she wishes she could stay a child forever because becoming a grown up means she’ll no longer believe in Santa and then he won’t come to our house anymore. The relief I feel is immense that she won’t be overly upset learning the truth or angry about the lie.
What a wise little one you have! I hear you on all fronts - the one soothing piece to crossing over into "big" kid is the relief you speak of here, takes all the pressure down several notches.
I remember when my kids were the ages of yours and their questions about Santa required so many lies that really stressed me out. I worried I would forget something I said they then get tripped up when they asked another question.
I remember my son pointing out that Santa used the same wrapping paper we had and I said he did that on purpose and then cursed myself after the string of questions followed that lie
THESE thoughts brought tears to my eyes thank you for naming the swirl of emotions we are all feeling. I love that way of checking in with your feelings and hope to bring that into practice. xx
You captured the mix of joy and melancholy that I've been discussing with friends. I'm in a season of hurried, beautiful, laborious transition, and I cannot help but feel this bittersweet longing for the life and the holiday season that used to be. With some much to be excited about AND so much to dread in the coming weeks and months, I find myself yearning for the simplicity of the Minnesota winter Christmases of my youth.
When my then-10-year-old daughter insisted that I tell her "the truth" about Santa, I told her the absolute truth: that I believe in Santa Claus. She decided she believed, too - and still does, at 32. (I work in DC and walked past the White House today. The barricades were even higher. I feel you.)
Elizabeth- this is so beautiful and a helpful reminder to allow the feelings because even on the worst of days there are so many and what a joy it is to keep living among them. Thankful for your beautiful words.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your emotions. The holidays are a time when it is easy to be swept up in the moments and the feelings. When you talked about naming the emotions it made me thing of the lessons I have learned from meditating. Instead of drawing away or pushing away emotions you learn more by looking at them and even naming them as you said you did. Thank you.
Oh, my heart. So much nodding and tearing up while reading this beautiful newsletter. Thank you for being so vulnerable and putting into words what so many of us are (likely) feeling. Especially as we look ahead to 2025. So thankful for this little corner of the Internet. ❤️
Love this so much. 🙏 Thank you for sharing your So many thoughts (about these so many feelings!) with us. After reading I feel validated and sane. ❤️ Such a good reminder to feel and name it all, let it happen, and move right along. Wishing you joy & love in this final stretch! ❤️💚🎄
I feel this in so many levels! A magical time of hers, but endless to do lists and expectations! A good reminder to give ourselves grace too! Merry Christmas!
I take comfort in knowing our family’s traditions evolve over time. Our one and only son is 17 and my husband and I continue to dust off his elf Frosty every year to hide him around the house. Our son giggles at us but still gets a kick out of finding Frosty. 🥰
Thank you, Nan. It's an imperfect practice, to be sure. But I didn't want them to think mom running around like a crazy person looking like for the "perfect" tree was how they should do it some day! I try very hard to recognize/vocalize when I'm being a perfectionist, to present it as a work in progress rather than a goal.
Per night owl vs early bird, I saw someone on social media once say they were a midday peacock and I really related to that 🦚🤣
While I can’t relate to the parental feelings in this post, I still feel this so much… time flying while also not moving fast enough. Sooo much personal dread and professional uncertainty with the new Congress and admin. But trying to remember all the good that is still possible. At work, we’ve spent 2 years trying to get legislation passed that will save lives from cardiac arrest in schools and last week it was unanimously passed by Congress 🙌🏼 there will certainly be devastation coming our way but I’m just trying to distract myself as best I can (fiction helps, as do your newsletters 😉) while also trying to keep fighting in the ways that feel safe for my mental health.
So many thoughts about this edition of So Many Thoughts! I'll edit myself, however, and just say that I see you, and I feel this all. Hand on my heart for you, for everyone here moving through their days feeling by feeling.
Thank you for this, Kristin, so much — and for being here. <3
Thank you for these beautiful words, Elizabeth, and the reminder to cherish ALL the feelings, as they come. I will take this lesson with me into this last crush of holiday festivities (of which there are many!).
FWIW, my kids have always known the reality of Santa (I remember being DEVASTATED when I found out as a child, and I didn’t want that for them), and even without that bit of magic, the season is still full of magic and excitement for them. They know to be kind to their friends who do believe, and they still love to discuss what “Santa” is bringing them for Christmas. Whenever that particular idea dissipates, know that the magic of the season will not. ❤️
Yes! There is joy (and some relief) when your kiddos become part of the magic-making team. Last night my husband and I watched The Family Stone with my daughter and her girlfriend, eating dinner and having drinks (they're both 21). So delightful! Trust your kids when they're ready to move on.
My daughter is 10, only slightly older than Fitz, and I’m pretty sure this will be our last true Santa year. For her entire childhood I’ve felt anxious about the “lie” and started simply saying that Santa only comes to those who believe. It was a challenge the last few years, since her bestie’s family doesn’t believe in participating in any of the things: Santa, elf on the shelf, Easter Bunny, Halloween, tooth fairy. I really didn’t know if it was getting through, but kept with the simple explanation that you must believe. Out of the blue the other day she told me she wishes she could stay a child forever because becoming a grown up means she’ll no longer believe in Santa and then he won’t come to our house anymore. The relief I feel is immense that she won’t be overly upset learning the truth or angry about the lie.
What a wise little one you have! I hear you on all fronts - the one soothing piece to crossing over into "big" kid is the relief you speak of here, takes all the pressure down several notches.
I remember when my kids were the ages of yours and their questions about Santa required so many lies that really stressed me out. I worried I would forget something I said they then get tripped up when they asked another question.
It is stressful! I had a moment, before the questions came, as I was tip-toeing around hiding gifts and thought: This keeps getting harder.
I remember my son pointing out that Santa used the same wrapping paper we had and I said he did that on purpose and then cursed myself after the string of questions followed that lie
THESE thoughts brought tears to my eyes thank you for naming the swirl of emotions we are all feeling. I love that way of checking in with your feelings and hope to bring that into practice. xx
You captured the mix of joy and melancholy that I've been discussing with friends. I'm in a season of hurried, beautiful, laborious transition, and I cannot help but feel this bittersweet longing for the life and the holiday season that used to be. With some much to be excited about AND so much to dread in the coming weeks and months, I find myself yearning for the simplicity of the Minnesota winter Christmases of my youth.
Oh, Ade. Big hugs. So beautifully said.
When my then-10-year-old daughter insisted that I tell her "the truth" about Santa, I told her the absolute truth: that I believe in Santa Claus. She decided she believed, too - and still does, at 32. (I work in DC and walked past the White House today. The barricades were even higher. I feel you.)
Elizabeth- this is so beautiful and a helpful reminder to allow the feelings because even on the worst of days there are so many and what a joy it is to keep living among them. Thankful for your beautiful words.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your emotions. The holidays are a time when it is easy to be swept up in the moments and the feelings. When you talked about naming the emotions it made me thing of the lessons I have learned from meditating. Instead of drawing away or pushing away emotions you learn more by looking at them and even naming them as you said you did. Thank you.
Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday.
Oh, my heart. So much nodding and tearing up while reading this beautiful newsletter. Thank you for being so vulnerable and putting into words what so many of us are (likely) feeling. Especially as we look ahead to 2025. So thankful for this little corner of the Internet. ❤️
Love this so much. 🙏 Thank you for sharing your So many thoughts (about these so many feelings!) with us. After reading I feel validated and sane. ❤️ Such a good reminder to feel and name it all, let it happen, and move right along. Wishing you joy & love in this final stretch! ❤️💚🎄
I feel this in so many levels! A magical time of hers, but endless to do lists and expectations! A good reminder to give ourselves grace too! Merry Christmas!
I take comfort in knowing our family’s traditions evolve over time. Our one and only son is 17 and my husband and I continue to dust off his elf Frosty every year to hide him around the house. Our son giggles at us but still gets a kick out of finding Frosty. 🥰
MARLO! This is wonderful. I definitely received gifts from Santa all through high school. :)
I love how attuned you are to your children’s emotions and experiences, and how you are able to put your own impulses on hold to prioritize them
Thank you, Nan. It's an imperfect practice, to be sure. But I didn't want them to think mom running around like a crazy person looking like for the "perfect" tree was how they should do it some day! I try very hard to recognize/vocalize when I'm being a perfectionist, to present it as a work in progress rather than a goal.
Per night owl vs early bird, I saw someone on social media once say they were a midday peacock and I really related to that 🦚🤣
While I can’t relate to the parental feelings in this post, I still feel this so much… time flying while also not moving fast enough. Sooo much personal dread and professional uncertainty with the new Congress and admin. But trying to remember all the good that is still possible. At work, we’ve spent 2 years trying to get legislation passed that will save lives from cardiac arrest in schools and last week it was unanimously passed by Congress 🙌🏼 there will certainly be devastation coming our way but I’m just trying to distract myself as best I can (fiction helps, as do your newsletters 😉) while also trying to keep fighting in the ways that feel safe for my mental health.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!