To the parents. If you are having fun with your children, they literally won’t give 2 hoots about all of the other stuff you have planned (outfits, meals, surprises, etc). If you show up with Christmas spirit (whatever that looks like for you and your family), then it’s a magical day.
Nawh thankyou for saying this! I was not able to celebrate Christmas last year so I looked extra forward to this year. But I got a high fever, so I didn't go as planned... but indeed the Christmas spirit was still there
Colleen, I really think it would be worthwhile getting your thyroid checked. The weight loss, inability to gain weight, sleep, mental health etc are symptoms. I also see some swelling in your neck. If it is thyroid it can be treated, it may just be worth it.
i know a woman who has three kiddos. today she was literally close to tears because there was no more meds for babies. and her baby was very sick. thank you for pointing this out colleen. i hope baby meds are restored. have a holly jolly Christmas colleen 🎄🎆
Mom of 2 here: I was awake until 1am last night (Christmas Eve) decorating the living room for Christmas and making sure everything was ready for Santa. I found myself sobbing in the shower because I felt like I was doing everything and was touched out from nursing and just overwhelmed with trying to make everything magical. Add to that the overstimulated kids today (Christmas) and family not listening to us saying that the kids were overstimulated and tired, and it has just been...much. You are not alone!
Yes I agree, I love what Kory does for the vlogs but with the unedited version it's some how more realistic and relatable.... I love Colleen no matter what ❤
A tip for any parents out there, if you can find children’s liquid Tylenol it’s the same thing, just follow the dosage your pediatrician gives you by the weight of the baby with a smaller syringe. It’s also technically cheaper by volume. Hugs to all the parents fighting for their kids right now ❤
Commenting to boost this!! Pediatricians give out dosing charts and can tell you which dose to give for your baby’s weight, so as long as you follow that, you don’t need “infant/baby” Tylenol & can just use any liquid Tylenol! 😊
Yes I was just about to comment this but actually all my pediatricians I’ve had all say to NEVER get infant Motrin or Tylenol but to get children’s because all infant medicines is a more consecrated dose so that’s why the dosage is different from infant and children’s. I take the free medication samples the doctors give out but I only buy children’s medication
The trick for those of us who love to provide a perfect setting for a special day is accepting that things are "good enough". Your children will remember you and your connection with them (Doing vs Being). The details you always so amazingly provide, i.e., outfits, wrapping, gifts, food even....those memories fade in time. Remember to "be with them" .....not just "do for them". Your a good enough momma! Love to you and the family Colleen....from Ben and I!
Christmas doesn’t have to be “magical “ just go with it. I was alone for it this year (postponed till my partner gets back) sometimes it’s good to go with the chaos
i feel like the expectations we have for certain things and situations make it so we can’t even enjoy anything. i personally focus so much on everything being perfect (and it never is) so i always end up being disappointed. i’ve realized i need to be more realistic and kind to myself when it comes to stuff like this. if you’re not enjoying something that you thought you wanted to do (and you don’t HAVE to do it) it’s better to let it go.
Hi Colleen ❤ When you were turning your head around 5:16 in the video I noticed your neck looked a bit nodular, and I thought I could even see the outline of your thyroid gland. If that’s the case your thyroid might be really enlarged - but it could just be the lighting in that clip. Also some things you’ve been experiencing like weight/appetite loss, anxiety, etc might line up with hyperthyroidism or something else, but obviously hope not, just hoping you see this comment to bring this to your attention - definitely wouldn’t hurt getting it checked out!!! I’m a medical student, and usually a silent watcher, I could be totally wrong here but I had to say something, love you and your family and your videos so much!!! ❤❤❤🎄
I am not a mom. But I get exactly what you mean. As someone with anxiety, I get SUPER stressed and overwhelmed for the holidays. I LOVELOVELOVE Christmas. It’s my favorite holiday. But having to wrap everything, and get everything ready, and make food. It’s a lot. And I’m not even an adult yet. I’m a teen still, but I STILL feel this way. Just wanted to say your not alone.
Colleen, PLEASE consider putting your kids in a daycare. I think this will bring some structure into your lives so that you have designated times to work and feel accomplished so that you can give your kids your full attention when they come home.
Jos_unfiltered_life recently made a tiktok about feeling stress surrounding trying to make Christmas magical for your children. But as children grow older, they won't remember what they got for Christmas and how much was spent. They will remember you coming together and being present and I completely agree. I remember my dad getting his film camera out every year and filming the empty plate with the eaten mince pie and carrot before we could open presents like a mini documentary, that's the magic of Christmas to me.
I feel you, sometimes Christmas doesn’t go as planned! In Ontario here we had a record breaking snow storm making it impossible to see family….in the end we were all understanding and it’s just another day !
I'm also from Ontario, and while nothing huge happened in the city I'm in, there have been so many issues in surrounding cities -- my mom's side of the family couldn't have christmas either because my uncle's power is still out. Just saw this comment and had to say I hope you still had a lovely christmas day, and I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and warm.
@@kaylafran6788 we're in Buffalo too! It's been awful for so many people. I've been trying to keep the stray cats outside fed & hydrated. Hoping to catch them to bring them to a vet.
i’m in maine but we had a suuppper windy rain/snow storm the friday before christmas and a huge tree came down in our driveway (super long driveway) and tore down all the wires and we had no power friday-monday night and the tree wasn’t cut down until christmas night and we couldn’t go anywhere 😩
PSA FOR PARENTS - Children's Tylenol and infant's Tylenol are the same dosage. You can Google this and it'll tell you exactly how to dose per weight. It used to be different dosage per ML but I think they changed it the past couple years.
As a mom i totally understand the feeling of being overwhelmed. Your such a amazing mom. I love that my kids and i can be apart of your family. we love watching your videos.
Merry Christmas 🌲🤗 Colleen I want you to know that you are doing a stupendous job on this 3rd rock from the sun. I only wish you could see yourself through our eyes. Girl you are super human! I truly mean it! Your wonderful kids are not going to remember if the laundry was done on Christmas or even if the house is messy. But what they will remember is the beautiful love you give to them unconditionally, as they do for you. Colleen you are a wonderful human and an even better mom. Much love and respect from Kentucky 💕
Girl, please stop invalidating yourself!!!! every stress/overwhelmed feeling you have is 100% okay. never apologize for expressing and feeling how you do. holiday‘s are fun but can be so stressful at the same time. you’re doing such an amazing job at creating fun memories for your kids to look back on. the fact that you’re even trying is good enough!!!! you’re doing your best and your kids will look back and appreciate this so much 🤍 i hope your christmas went well and you were able to create lifelong memories 🤍🤍
As an adult who has lost their joy for the holidays, I appreciate your desire to make it magical for your children. Personally I do feel that you have done an amazing job just from what you have shown us and you are definitely putting far too much pressure on yourself to make it perfect, and nothing will ever be perfect. As a psych student I think it's amazing that you're able to spot that your emotions of stress over the holidays is "ridiculous" and as someone who suffers from anxiety I completely understand how out of control you are on controlling those intense emotions. Everything that you do for your family is MORE than enough, your beautiful family is the outcome of your hard work
@Moonie whatever you are doing today, I hope you have a good day. I am astounded when I strip away all the 'noise' from Christmas and focus on God breaking into time and history for love's sake! He loves you.
My mom used to get so stressed on holidays that she’d get frustrated and made it not fun for me. I didn’t want things to be perfect, I just wanted to have a fun happy holiday. It’s very natural but try to allow yourself to let things be less than perfect. Your kids will appreciate having you happy and having a good time rather than stressed ❤️
Hey Colleen, I’ve watched hundreds of your videos and I’ve never commented. I just want to thank you for your massive contribution to me and all of your other followers ❤
Watching this, threw me right back into my young mom years. The stress, the tears behind closed doors, the anxiety of getting it all done. And now, looking back, I miss those times. Because in return, you get the magic of Christmas. The excited children, the wanted presents, the magic. Hold on to these times, Colleen. Because in a few years they will be memories and you will miss it horribly.pS- I live way out in the country and can send some infant Tylenol out to your PO Box. We usually have things big cities don’t. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Colleen! As someone who also gets overwhelmed when there are too many things to do and not enough time, I wanted to share what helps me with this... I write out a list of all the things bouncing around in my brain that I want/need to do. Then I go through the list and decide what truly NEEDS to be done and cannot wait. Once I have those things decided, I look at the rest of the list and evaluate each task, asking myself if it's something that's necessary, or just something I'd like to get done? Then I ask myself, 'if this doesn't get done, will it make a difference in the long run? What's the worst that could happen if I don't get this done today?' It sounds like a long process, but really it just takes a minute, and I often end up with only a few things that are truly necessary to do asap, and the rest would be great to accomplish, but its not life or death. That allows me to feel less overwhelmed because I then know exactly what things I need to focus on. Often I get more accomplished in the long run, because instead of stressing over where to start, I'm able to start with the top priorities, and make my way down into the rest of my list knowing that it's not the end of the world if I don't finish everything, because I got the important things taken care of first. This was super long winded, but hoping it helps you or anyone else who has the same struggle!
As an ADD mom who moved about the same time you did, I completely get this. I feel the same way this Christmas season. I want the magic for our son, but nothing feels magical cause we don’t know where everything is and it’s in a new environment and laundry is beyond backed up…it’s all a lot. Lean on Erik and remember that they’ll have so many more christmases to remember as well! That’s what we’re doing!
As a non mom, the holidays are stressful regardless. I feel like my partner and I have just been sad and stressed more than anything this holiday season, I feel like everyone is going through it rn. I hope your family had a wonderful Christmas though 💕💕
I actually enjoy doing laundry. Carrying dirty laundry up and down 2 flights of stairs is the bummer part though. But I bought easy to carry canvas bags, and I made it a chore for the kids to carry it up or down, has helped a ton. When the kids get bigger, they can help a lot. Flynn can probably already help fold towels or put things away.
I think she would like the idea if a family closet. And also hiring her laundry done if its in the home or sent out it could really take a load off what other things there are to get accomplished in a day. But yeah, a family closet would mean no more putting away clothes with sleeping kids, plus you really know what the options are and much easier to ID the clothes that don't fit any longer. Then the closets and dressers in their room can be for other fun things...
Colleen, you may want to get coaching for executive function and time management skills. You add things to your plate that only add to your stress. OCD and ADHD will do this. You help many people, and I think therapy or coaching may be a really valuable gift to yourself. And your beautiful family.
Colleen, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed (even during the holidays). I’m not a mom yet but I have three cats and I’m dog sitting for a family with nine dogs over christmas. Yesterday, one of the dogs went into heat. I couldn’t get her diaper on after trying for half an hour and I burst into tears. Long story short, everyone gets overwhelmed and the holidays can sometimes be more overwhelming for a lot of us.
Dog sitting too. 3 dogs. In NYC (where I go to school) while my family is in TX.... I woke up at 5am today Christmas morning to diarrhea all over my room. 1 of the dogs went e v e r y w h e r e. On my rug. Everything. Had to put on military grade boots so I wouldn't accidentally step in it. That's how bad it was. Ordered in takeout. And the temp was 8 degrees today. OVERWHELMING DAY. I'm with ya girl... Merry Christmas from NYC🤍
I so relate to you….. (Christmas Eve) I had a full anxiety attack for the same reasons…too Much to do…ugh and sometimes I freeze….the day was poop for me too…you are not alone!! We are all overwhelmed…remember you are not alone!! Breathe through the hard emotions….you feel them and process them which helps soooo much…don’t be so hard on yourself darling 🎄✨♥️🎅🏻
I cried 4 times from Christmas eve to Christmas. Cried in the car, tomorrow is my miracle son's 10th birthday. I'm trying to make things magical. I just want him to feel loved. I understand
As a mom, I totally get it. We took our kids on a fun Christmas outing and I got anxious about timing and my husband and I argued a little bit and it made me feel so awful. I want to just enjoy the holidays but it’s hard to feel like you’re the one in charge of making it magical for everyone else. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way. ❤️
My sons are grown( no grandbabies yet,) and I can tell you that being a mom is a hard job. Especially when you're a perfectionist and want to make everything magical for your loved ones. I totally get it! Try to be gentle on yourself.❤️🫂🎄🌟✝️
I don't want to put a damper on anyone or anything but I wanted to share my Christmas story. Christmas eve my brother in law had a seizure and bit his tongue really bad. He's been in the hospital for 2 days so far. He's doing so much better but it really had us all down. But we made it work. There's always fun to be had even though things are rough. You have to find the bright side of every situation. Thank you for posting your struggles. We love you. Stay strong mama. 💚💚💚
Mom tip: children’s Motrin and Tylenol are the same as infants, I have always used children’s for my 3 littles also u save so much more buying the big bottle. We are all in the same boat at my home everyone is sick with the same symptoms, it will get better soon. Sending love light and healing!!!!❤
Man I felt what you said about Christmas mom guilt so hard!!! I want it to be so special, but it’s a lot!! I keep reminding my self that our babies just want us, and quality time. The magic remember from our childhoods, is typically the simplest things 🤍 Sending you so much love! Thank you for always being so vulnerable and honest. It makes us all feel less alone.
Merry Christmas 🎅🎄 to you and your Beautiful Family! Thank you for your faithfulness throughout the year...especially today, when some of us need some extra joy in our lives, that only you can bring! ❤
From one curly-haired person to another, i feel ya on the mousse. My hair doesn't do well with mousse. (Not sure if I spelled that correctly. It looks super weird and I am not inclined to double check the spelling right now.) Anyhoo, I've found that I have had to try different products to find what works best for my curly hair. I have really pretty ringlets at the nape of my neck and then the rest seems kind of wavy/curly-ish. My hair looks a lot like what your hair looks like when you were showing us the before using the denman (??) brush. I really love the Mielle products I have tried so far. I am currently loving how the curly smoothie makes my hair look. I usually pair it with Mielle's coil sculpting custard. Sometimes it takes trying different brands of products to find what your curls like. My curls decide what they like and what they don't like and it can be brutal when ya realize something is hated by your curls. I hope you find things that work for you!
Ya my hair gets all “crunchy” when I use mousse too my sister says I put too much in but I don’t think that’s it also I had to go to school the day after the night I put it In 😅
To any parent struggling to make a magical Christmas: from my childhood all the best Christmas were the ones I spent with my family. I don't remember any gift or actives. Just my whole family being together. All it matters is being with family. Happy holidays everyone!
For any parents worrying about this baby medicine shortage… you can always give smaller doses of adult medicine. Just make sure you measure it out and you can always consult your doctor.
I can totally relate to the mini meltdown while prepping for Christmas. I had to work Christmas morning this year and between wrapping presents, visiting family and playing with my little one I've been totally exhausted and have felt like crying a couple of times myself 🥹 I hope you all had a wonderful, magical day! 💖
Merry Christmas Colleen. Laundry tip - hire someone to help with laundry and cleaning once or twice a week. It’s okay to ask for help. Girl, if I lived close I would come help you. I have been there and there are many many Moms and Dads out there feeling the same way. Parenting is hard!
Would 2 or 3 collapsible baskets for the clean laundry help keep it tidy until you, or someone else can get into the bedroom/wants to find something/has time to put them away. You could even give Flynn his full basket and help him to learn to put clothes away, teaching him sorting as well.
"It's okay to ask for help" as if she doesn't stay at home full time with her husband, personal assistant/best friend, nanny and mother around almost 24/7. Lmao she has more than enough already compared to the average and overwhelming majority of struggling moms
My birthday is Christmas Eve. My Birthday has never been my birthday since I had kids. Took me a while to accept it, but you find a way to make peace and make space to celebrate yourself, as well as for your family to be excited for the holidays. You have loved Christmas your whole life - give yourself room to adjust to the new normal as a mother to 3 kids to celebrate Christmas. It may not look like it used to, but you will still find the magic. It is 100% to say no to things. It doesn't diminish your love for your family when you do.
Hey Colleen! I saw someone on TikTok share her cleaning hacks when she's having a hard time. One thing that has transformed her life is how she handles her family's laundry. She puts it through the machines as usual but once everything is clean it'll go into piles on the floor by either the person (Flynn, you, Erik, twins) or all the jeans will be in one pile, all the sweatshirts in one, etc. Idk if this would work for you, but maybe worth to try!
“It’s 2AM… i still have presents to wrap… i’m the worst.” COLLEEEEEEEEN STOOOOOOOOOP. you are the best for wanting to create the best memories for you and the family. You wanting to make it happy and the best holiday is what gets you overwhelmed. And we get it, but please be kinder to yourself. You have a very big, genuine heart and it’s about time you tell yourself that you are great and that what you do, whatever you do, you are doing your best. So please, please. Appreciate yourself more. You are never boring. Come on. Enjoy the holidays for what it is. You are doing great.
Hi Colleen just want to say thats it okay for you to feel how you feel. In fact as a daughter myself it makes me see what really goes on behind the scene and makes me see my mother more as a superwoman because the fact that I don't realize what she goes through while still providing me a magical day is incredible and I'm sure while your kids grow up the would realize this too. I hope that you had a great Christmas and that you get the rest that you deserve.
colleen, when you feel stressed and overwhelmed don’t get angry about how you feel. it’s healthy to let the emotions pass and flow through you so it doesn’t build up and nibble at you. be kind to yourself, you’re doing amazing sweetie! merry christmas to the family ❤️
Just grieving Christmas this year. We're in Buffalo where this blizzard has taken 27 lives over Christmas. People are trapped at work or on the roads freezing in their vehicles after having tried to get home from work Friday. People are running out of food & formula for their families, many of whom have been without heat or electricity for days. Plows unable to get down the roads because of all the abandoned vehicles. It's my second borns first Christmas & we're all with power/ had a chance to stock up on supplies & we're together but the grief & fear for my community is really hard to manage while we're snowed in waiting for travel bans to lift.
I got so lucky !! I've been so sick for over a week and only got about 3 presents wrapped. So my MIL volunteered to help. So my husband tool our presents over there and she wrapped and bagged them all, then he ran her errands , then brought the presents back. We have a huge family and she hosts and she still did that for me. I'm very blessed. Thank you to all the wonderful grandparents that help us raise our little villages !!
Colleen something my therapist taught me is to stop using words like "should" and "need" when you're talking about things to do. There are some things (like eating and sleeping!) that are needs, but some things on your list (laundry, making cookies, etc.) are just wants. Using "should" implies that you're already failing and it can make you feel trapped. Something simple such as saying "I didn't have time to bake cookies like I wanted" can help you feel less like you failed at something and more disappointed, which is a lot easier to deal with!! Pls if you see this like it so Colleen can see (: I just really want to pass this along and maybe help her!
Is there any task you can delegate to Eric more? Or It comes across in the videos that you have alot of tasks on hand that you personally want to do. Is there room in your budget to get a mom's helper? Someone that can help with household tasks for you, so you can direct your attention to where you want with your kids and work? Like laundry, cleaning up, errands, unpacking etc...
The stuff doesn't make your kids Happy Colleen. They won't even remember this later in life so why are YOU making such a big deal out of it? Maybe you need to figure out why you feel the need to do everything over the top to make people happy? The stuff doesn't matter. You're the one making a big deal out of it when it's not necessary to do that to be a Mom. Give kids stuff or massive parties isn't love. That's what parent's do to make them feel better. That's for you not them.
@@dovestone_ Too many parents do stuff to make them feel better about themselves. Kid's don't need much to be happy actually. All the glitter is just a distraction for the parents. 😁
Girl I feel this so hard! I also had a complete meltdown on Christmas Eve. We as parents put so much pressure on ourselves to make everything perfect. I tried to do so much that I ended up doing most things half way and screwed up my vision for the day. My sweet kiddos could have cared less about it all , they just wanted me. It's hard, you are doing great! Sometimes we just need to have our moments so that we can move forward and see the light again ! All the love sent to you Mamma!
Colleen! You are way too hard on yourself. I too am the same way, lol! You are not alone. This is my first Christmas without my Dad who passed away in October from COVID. I'm honestly just trying to breath through each moment here lately. Thank you for being real with us. You make the world a better place!🍪🥛
I feel this feeling of stress on Christmas. And your stress is not someone else’s. I lost my mom in May and then my little sister on thanksgiving. I am trying so hard to make my boys’ Christmas magical, I’m a single mom, and also include my sisters 3 children she left behind. And I felt so stressed that I couldn’t even be sad. And then it felt like it was over in a heartbeat. My heart is sad. But just wanted to say, I’m with you. 🖤✨
Laundry tip: (maybe this will work for you maybe it won't its just what I came up with). Get a small laundry bag (the kind that zips & goes in the washer) for each person and everything they wore that day goes in it and gets washed that night. That way loads are small, everything is separate already and can easily be put away in a couple minutes in the morning! Hope this helps
Having had sick kids on the holidays several years in a row, it can definitely be rough especially on top of all of the normal ‘parent’ responsibilities and expectations. I haven’t truly been able to enjoy the holidays the way I used to in probably 10 years. My life has just changed alot and I haven’t been able to find my way back to whatever holiday joy looks like for me. I just do my best through every year and hope for the best.
I'm a mom who got mono 2 days before Christmas. I was to weak to even get on the floor and help my daughter open her first christmas presents. the holidays are hard for moms but I know that my daughter enjoyed opening and building presents with her grandparents and that's what matters. children are resilient and they can find happiness even when we think we've failed. it's a normal feeling for mothers but you're doing great Collen !
There were tons of sparkly gifts, perfect decorations, and outrageous meals and treats every Christmas in my house growing up; but there were also daily beatings, verbal abuse and emotional trauma. Please trust me when I tell you that your incredible kids will look back and evaluate their Christmases not by how outwardly magical and abundant you made them, but by how happy and peaceful you were, and by how you made/make them feel so safe, so deeply loved and so special everyday of the year. I wish we could magically be in your house to do all your laundry and cook all your meals. I wish we could give you a hug and take away all your over-the-top self expectations. I wish you could just allow yourself to be upset and disappointed and not use it to add another layer of self-judgement. ❤
The CDC just made an announcement begging people to please only buy baby/kids pain/fever medications as needed or if you do purchase it, please only buy one at a time so that others might have an opportunity to purchase some as well. Winter illnesses are running rampant!
I feel this so much. It's my first Christmas as a mama, and I just wanted the most perfect day. It was far from what i had invisioned for my son's first Christmas. My house was a mess, I didn't have time to make any holiday treats, presents still needed to be bought/ wrapped, and to top it off my dad ended up in the hospital and had an emergency surgery so we still haven't even done Christmas with my family. One thing this year keeps showing me is that expectation and reality are 2 very different things. My sweet husband told me I'm trying to take on too much in a very little amount of time and I need to put things in perspective and think about what truly matters. And the only thing that matters is my family. When my son looks back at pictures of that day, the only thing he will see is parents that love him, not a mess kitchen sink 💗
You’re normal to feel stressed as a Mom at Christmas. You might have to alter some traditions to reduce your own stress. For instance, Santa might be concerned about the environment and stop wrapping the presents from him. Just gift tags. Only Mom and Dad’s presents are wrapped under the tree. (When I was little, it was very exciting to see the unwrapped gifts that were from HIM!) As I wrapped gifts this year, I chastised myself for creating so much more garbage. Holidays add chores for moms, who are already up to their eyeballs in laundry! (Laundry is never done.) You are not alone. If you don’t get to some of those special things, no worries. Your kids won’t care there wasn’t more. They will love your joy, and whatever you get to.
Every mom gets stressed and wants Christmas magical. I think as I get older, you have to try not to over do for your kids, they get stressed out too if you do to much. Think back of your grandparents era and the magic of reading Christmas stories and the love that they shared with each other. Small can be just as magical. 💜❤️ I love your heart and how empathetic you are, when you saw the empty shelf’s of medicine… you are such a beautiful soul. Merry Christmas to your sweet family.
Colleen I go through this EVERY year. I'm stressed I never do enough for everyone. Every Christmas eve I'm bawling but Christmas Day is always a blast. I totally get it
Colleen I know you probably will never see this but I’ve never needed your upload more than right now. Thank you so much for being a constant in so many of our lives. Having your vlog to watch tonight before I go to bed has just relieved my mind ever so slightly (but oh so necessarily) all of the bad things that happened today and I’m just so grateful that when I logged onto TH-cam you’ve uploaded a video😂❤️ thank you thank you xxx
I love this unedited Colleen. It somehow makes you even more relatable. I feel like we're friends and I'm just listening to you and empathizing, 'cause girl, it's meltdown season right now. This has been an unbelievable gongshow of BS during the most important week of our year. My sons 1st birthday on the 17th, husband's birthday on the 23rd, and our anniversary is Christmas Day. The whole week got trashed and I don't know how to not be wrecked about it.
Your feelings are so relatable as a mom. That pressure of trying to make Christmas magical for your kids but being mad at yourself for being stressed instead of just enjoying the moment. Add having sick babies to that and I FEEL you girl. Being a mom is hard. Merry Christmas to you all.
Colleen get Eric to help out so not everything is on your shoulders todo. I’m sure he helps but it seems like he can help out more if you’re so overwhelmed and stressed. Sometimes it’s ok to ask for help especially from your loving partner. You’re a team and when one can’t give anymore that’s where the other should step in to help.
I absolutely love this unedited content I’m watching. For the past 7 hours I’ve just been sitting around with nothing to do on X-Mas soo thank you Colleen❤️
As a mom of two teenagers now, trust me when I say go for mostly done and not perfection. My kids have memories of the FUN we had TOGETHER and not all the other things we moms pressure ourselves to do!!! Moms needs to take time to just BE with their kids and realize that is where the memories are--not the wrapped gifts, the clean house and special treats!
Not a mom here, but the magic I always felt was not in the presents or the food but in my mom and my dad. Don't be so hard on yourself. Your kids absolutely LOVE you
So did we. My mom always wrapped our stocking gifts. So it was always a big surprise. If could be soap or candy or earrings...etc. Yes, sometimes out big present was in our stockings. I lived it and carried it over to my adult family. My husband was so awesome to honor my Christmas traditions. ❤️❤️❤️
To the parents. If you are having fun with your children, they literally won’t give 2 hoots about all of the other stuff you have planned (outfits, meals, surprises, etc). If you show up with Christmas spirit (whatever that looks like for you and your family), then it’s a magical day.
🙌🙌🙌
Nawh thankyou for saying this! I was not able to celebrate Christmas last year so I looked extra forward to this year. But I got a high fever, so I didn't go as planned... but indeed the Christmas spirit was still there
Came here to say this. Colleen you do all this stuff to fill a hole in you. Your kids lives are full and whole already honey ❤
@@clairehawkes1112 that's too rough , you are not her therapist to say things like that
@@melBea123 hypocrite, what gives you the right to tell me what’s too much?
Colleen, I really think it would be worthwhile getting your thyroid checked. The weight loss, inability to gain weight, sleep, mental health etc are symptoms. I also see some swelling in your neck. If it is thyroid it can be treated, it may just be worth it.
I saw that too and it worried me. Def need to get levels checked out.
Yup
i know a woman who has three kiddos. today she was literally close to tears because there was no more meds for babies. and her baby was very sick. thank you for pointing this out colleen. i hope baby meds are restored. have a holly jolly Christmas colleen 🎄🎆
I couldn’t believe parenting arguments when issues like the formula crisis exist, scary
Ask a pharmacist to do the math to just use child's Tylenol instead of baby... that's what we did! Pharmacist said it's the same stuff
@@delanysatterfield3215 I am gonna tell her that right now, thank you for your great advice. Have a merry Christmas 🎄💝
@@sydneyharp1989 most parents don't formula feed their kids.
Anyone else just knowing every part kory would have put certain sound and everything
Went from Colleen unedited to sick for Christmas love it😂
I agree
Same!!
Did she delete and reupload or just change the title?
@@juli_8721 she changed the title
Mom of 2 here: I was awake until 1am last night (Christmas Eve) decorating the living room for Christmas and making sure everything was ready for Santa. I found myself sobbing in the shower because I felt like I was doing everything and was touched out from nursing and just overwhelmed with trying to make everything magical. Add to that the overstimulated kids today (Christmas) and family not listening to us saying that the kids were overstimulated and tired, and it has just been...much. You are not alone!
colleen unedited is always so fun idk why lol. love you ❤️
Yes I agree, I love what Kory does for the vlogs but with the unedited version it's some how more realistic and relatable.... I love Colleen no matter what ❤
A tip for any parents out there, if you can find children’s liquid Tylenol it’s the same thing, just follow the dosage your pediatrician gives you by the weight of the baby with a smaller syringe. It’s also technically cheaper by volume. Hugs to all the parents fighting for their kids right now ❤
Commenting to boost this!! Pediatricians give out dosing charts and can tell you which dose to give for your baby’s weight, so as long as you follow that, you don’t need “infant/baby” Tylenol & can just use any liquid Tylenol! 😊
Yes! And definitely correct about being cheaper by volume, infants Tylenol is a real ripoff when you do the math
Yes I was just about to comment this but actually all my pediatricians I’ve had all say to NEVER get infant Motrin or Tylenol but to get children’s because all infant medicines is a more consecrated dose so that’s why the dosage is different from infant and children’s. I take the free medication samples the doctors give out but I only buy children’s medication
Thanks
I was gonna say this 👍🏼
The trick for those of us who love to provide a perfect setting for a special day is accepting that things are "good enough". Your children will remember you and your connection with them (Doing vs Being). The details you always so amazingly provide, i.e., outfits, wrapping, gifts, food even....those memories fade in time. Remember to "be with them" .....not just "do for them". Your a good enough momma! Love to you and the family Colleen....from Ben and I!
You have so much to be thankful for and happy about. You have a healthy family and you are all together. You that should be all that matters.
Flynn asking Santa for cookies while eating a cookie is the cutest thing ♥️
Christmas doesn’t have to be “magical “ just go with it. I was alone for it this year (postponed till my partner gets back) sometimes it’s good to go with the chaos
i feel like the expectations we have for certain things and situations make it so we can’t even enjoy anything. i personally focus so much on everything being perfect (and it never is) so i always end up being disappointed. i’ve realized i need to be more realistic and kind to myself when it comes to stuff like this. if you’re not enjoying something that you thought you wanted to do (and you don’t HAVE to do it) it’s better to let it go.
Hi Colleen ❤ When you were turning your head around 5:16 in the video I noticed your neck looked a bit nodular, and I thought I could even see the outline of your thyroid gland. If that’s the case your thyroid might be really enlarged - but it could just be the lighting in that clip. Also some things you’ve been experiencing like weight/appetite loss, anxiety, etc might line up with hyperthyroidism or something else, but obviously hope not, just hoping you see this comment to bring this to your attention - definitely wouldn’t hurt getting it checked out!!! I’m a medical student, and usually a silent watcher, I could be totally wrong here but I had to say something, love you and your family and your videos so much!!! ❤❤❤🎄
Need to push this comment up
Ik right haha 🥲
I am not a mom. But I get exactly what you mean. As someone with anxiety, I get SUPER stressed and overwhelmed for the holidays. I LOVELOVELOVE Christmas. It’s my favorite holiday. But having to wrap everything, and get everything ready, and make food. It’s a lot. And I’m not even an adult yet. I’m a teen still, but I STILL feel this way. Just wanted to say your not alone.
Colleen, PLEASE consider putting your kids in a daycare. I think this will bring some structure into your lives so that you have designated times to work and feel accomplished so that you can give your kids your full attention when they come home.
Jos_unfiltered_life recently made a tiktok about feeling stress surrounding trying to make Christmas magical for your children. But as children grow older, they won't remember what they got for Christmas and how much was spent. They will remember you coming together and being present and I completely agree. I remember my dad getting his film camera out every year and filming the empty plate with the eaten mince pie and carrot before we could open presents like a mini documentary, that's the magic of Christmas to me.
I feel you, sometimes Christmas doesn’t go as planned! In Ontario here we had a record breaking snow storm making it impossible to see family….in the end we were all understanding and it’s just another day !
I'm also from Ontario, and while nothing huge happened in the city I'm in, there have been so many issues in surrounding cities -- my mom's side of the family couldn't have christmas either because my uncle's power is still out. Just saw this comment and had to say I hope you still had a lovely christmas day, and I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and warm.
Fellow Ontario person here. You're right it was so bad! Hopefully you and your family stayed safe!
In buffalo, were just now getting dug out. It's been horrible. No food, no anything. Luckily everyone's been taking people in. I have 8+ feet of snow
@@kaylafran6788 we're in Buffalo too! It's been awful for so many people. I've been trying to keep the stray cats outside fed & hydrated. Hoping to catch them to bring them to a vet.
i’m in maine but we had a suuppper windy rain/snow storm the friday before christmas and a huge tree came down in our driveway (super long driveway) and tore down all the wires and we had no power friday-monday night and the tree wasn’t cut down until christmas night and we couldn’t go anywhere 😩
PSA FOR PARENTS - Children's Tylenol and infant's Tylenol are the same dosage. You can Google this and it'll tell you exactly how to dose per weight. It used to be different dosage per ML but I think they changed it the past couple years.
Also, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask the Pharmacist.
As a mom i totally understand the feeling of being overwhelmed. Your such a amazing mom. I love that my kids and i can be apart of your family. we love watching your videos.
Merry Christmas 🌲🤗 Colleen I want you to know that you are doing a stupendous job on this 3rd rock from the sun. I only wish you could see yourself through our eyes. Girl you are super human! I truly mean it! Your wonderful kids are not going to remember if the laundry was done on Christmas or even if the house is messy. But what they will remember is the beautiful love you give to them unconditionally, as they do for you. Colleen you are a wonderful human and an even better mom. Much love and respect from Kentucky 💕
Girl, please stop invalidating yourself!!!! every stress/overwhelmed feeling you have is 100% okay. never apologize for expressing and feeling how you do. holiday‘s are fun but can be so stressful at the same time. you’re doing such an amazing job at creating fun memories for your kids to look back on. the fact that you’re even trying is good enough!!!! you’re doing your best and your kids will look back and appreciate this so much 🤍 i hope your christmas went well and you were able to create lifelong memories 🤍🤍
As an adult who has lost their joy for the holidays, I appreciate your desire to make it magical for your children. Personally I do feel that you have done an amazing job just from what you have shown us and you are definitely putting far too much pressure on yourself to make it perfect, and nothing will ever be perfect. As a psych student I think it's amazing that you're able to spot that your emotions of stress over the holidays is "ridiculous" and as someone who suffers from anxiety I completely understand how out of control you are on controlling those intense emotions. Everything that you do for your family is MORE than enough, your beautiful family is the outcome of your hard work
@Moonie whatever you are doing today, I hope you have a good day.
I am astounded when I strip away all the 'noise' from Christmas and focus on God breaking into time and history for love's sake!
He loves you.
My mom used to get so stressed on holidays that she’d get frustrated and made it not fun for me. I didn’t want things to be perfect, I just wanted to have a fun happy holiday. It’s very natural but try to allow yourself to let things be less than perfect. Your kids will appreciate having you happy and having a good time rather than stressed ❤️
Hey Colleen, I’ve watched hundreds of your videos and I’ve never commented. I just want to thank you for your massive contribution to me and all of your other followers ❤
Watching this, threw me right back into my young mom years. The stress, the tears behind closed doors, the anxiety of getting it all done. And now, looking back, I miss those times. Because in return, you get the magic of Christmas. The excited children, the wanted presents, the magic. Hold on to these times, Colleen. Because in a few years they will be memories and you will miss it horribly.pS- I live way out in the country and can send some infant Tylenol out to your PO Box. We usually have things big cities don’t.
Merry Christmas!
I actually very much appreciate this because this is my first Christmas alone as an adult, so thank you 🥹
Merry Christmas!!! :)
Merry Christmas, Colleen!
As someone who also gets overwhelmed when there are too many things to do and not enough time, I wanted to share what helps me with this...
I write out a list of all the things bouncing around in my brain that I want/need to do. Then I go through the list and decide what truly NEEDS to be done and cannot wait. Once I have those things decided, I look at the rest of the list and evaluate each task, asking myself if it's something that's necessary, or just something I'd like to get done? Then I ask myself, 'if this doesn't get done, will it make a difference in the long run? What's the worst that could happen if I don't get this done today?'
It sounds like a long process, but really it just takes a minute, and I often end up with only a few things that are truly necessary to do asap, and the rest would be great to accomplish, but its not life or death. That allows me to feel less overwhelmed because I then know exactly what things I need to focus on. Often I get more accomplished in the long run, because instead of stressing over where to start, I'm able to start with the top priorities, and make my way down into the rest of my list knowing that it's not the end of the world if I don't finish everything, because I got the important things taken care of first.
This was super long winded, but hoping it helps you or anyone else who has the same struggle!
This is great advice!
I agree, great advice & I'm going to do this! Thank you ❤️
Girl you’re not boring. I love the one on one chats!! And if it is helping therapeutically, I’m all for it!❤
As an ADD mom who moved about the same time you did, I completely get this. I feel the same way this Christmas season. I want the magic for our son, but nothing feels magical cause we don’t know where everything is and it’s in a new environment and laundry is beyond backed up…it’s all a lot. Lean on Erik and remember that they’ll have so many more christmases to remember as well! That’s what we’re doing!
As a non mom, the holidays are stressful regardless. I feel like my partner and I have just been sad and stressed more than anything this holiday season, I feel like everyone is going through it rn. I hope your family had a wonderful Christmas though 💕💕
I actually enjoy doing laundry. Carrying dirty laundry up and down 2 flights of stairs is the bummer part though. But I bought easy to carry canvas bags, and I made it a chore for the kids to carry it up or down, has helped a ton. When the kids get bigger, they can help a lot. Flynn can probably already help fold towels or put things away.
I think she would like the idea if a family closet. And also hiring her laundry done if its in the home or sent out it could really take a load off what other things there are to get accomplished in a day.
But yeah, a family closet would mean no more putting away clothes with sleeping kids, plus you really know what the options are and much easier to ID the clothes that don't fit any longer. Then the closets and dressers in their room can be for other fun things...
Colleen, you may want to get coaching for executive function and time management skills.
You add things to your plate that only add to your stress. OCD and ADHD will do this.
You help many people, and I think therapy or coaching may be a really valuable gift to yourself. And your beautiful family.
Colleen, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed (even during the holidays). I’m not a mom yet but I have three cats and I’m dog sitting for a family with nine dogs over christmas. Yesterday, one of the dogs went into heat. I couldn’t get her diaper on after trying for half an hour and I burst into tears. Long story short, everyone gets overwhelmed and the holidays can sometimes be more overwhelming for a lot of us.
Dog sitting too. 3 dogs. In NYC (where I go to school) while my family is in TX.... I woke up at 5am today Christmas morning to diarrhea all over my room. 1 of the dogs went e v e r y w h e r e. On my rug. Everything. Had to put on military grade boots so I wouldn't accidentally step in it. That's how bad it was. Ordered in takeout. And the temp was 8 degrees today. OVERWHELMING DAY. I'm with ya girl... Merry Christmas from NYC🤍
@@stellaelectrahsky merry christmas!!
Oh, no she isn't fixed yet?😢
@@elizabethcablesings you’re a horrible person!
Tip for next year: take pictures of where you hide the presents and put them in a separate photo album
the amount of times i've wanted to give colleen a big, comforting hug is so unreal. i hope she can feel my love from across the country.
I so relate to you….. (Christmas Eve) I had a full anxiety attack for the same reasons…too
Much to do…ugh and sometimes I freeze….the day was poop for me too…you are not alone!! We are all overwhelmed…remember you are not alone!! Breathe through the hard emotions….you feel them and process them which helps soooo much…don’t be so hard on yourself darling 🎄✨♥️🎅🏻
18:45 his little smile of excitement and then your smile oh my god cuteness overload. That was so sweet.
Your feelings are valid. I feel the same at times. You can feel stressed and be excited for Christmas!
I cried 4 times from Christmas eve to Christmas. Cried in the car, tomorrow is my miracle son's 10th birthday. I'm trying to make things magical. I just want him to feel loved. I understand
As a mom, I totally get it. We took our kids on a fun Christmas outing and I got anxious about timing and my husband and I argued a little bit and it made me feel so awful. I want to just enjoy the holidays but it’s hard to feel like you’re the one in charge of making it magical for everyone else. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way. ❤️
You're certainly not alone. There are so many different layers of stress around any events that have expectations attached... and Christmas has plenty
My sons are grown( no grandbabies yet,) and I can tell you that being a mom is a hard job. Especially when you're a perfectionist and want to make everything magical for your loved ones. I totally get it! Try to be gentle on yourself.❤️🫂🎄🌟✝️
I’m a fan of these kinds of vlogs it’s almost like just hanging out or a podcast or something
I don’t know about anybody else, but Colleens videos never boring.
yeah idk why she lies to us like that! haha
I agree
same
I agree 👍
I don't want to put a damper on anyone or anything but I wanted to share my Christmas story.
Christmas eve my brother in law had a seizure and bit his tongue really bad. He's been in the hospital for 2 days so far. He's doing so much better but it really had us all down. But we made it work. There's always fun to be had even though things are rough. You have to find the bright side of every situation. Thank you for posting your struggles. We love you. Stay strong mama. 💚💚💚
Mom tip: children’s Motrin and Tylenol are the same as infants, I have always used children’s for my 3 littles also u save so much more buying the big bottle.
We are all in the same boat at my home everyone is sick with the same symptoms, it will get better soon. Sending love light and healing!!!!❤
Man I felt what you said about Christmas mom guilt so hard!!! I want it to be so special, but it’s a lot!! I keep reminding my self that our babies just want us, and quality time. The magic remember from our childhoods, is typically the simplest things 🤍 Sending you so much love! Thank you for always being so vulnerable and honest. It makes us all feel less alone.
Merry Christmas 🎅🎄 to you and your Beautiful Family! Thank you for your faithfulness throughout the year...especially today, when some of us need some extra joy in our lives, that only you can bring! ❤
As a mom, being the magic is one of the most stressful things about this time of year. But you’re a superhero ♡
From one curly-haired person to another, i feel ya on the mousse. My hair doesn't do well with mousse. (Not sure if I spelled that correctly. It looks super weird and I am not inclined to double check the spelling right now.)
Anyhoo, I've found that I have had to try different products to find what works best for my curly hair. I have really pretty ringlets at the nape of my neck and then the rest seems kind of wavy/curly-ish. My hair looks a lot like what your hair looks like when you were showing us the before using the denman (??) brush.
I really love the Mielle products I have tried so far. I am currently loving how the curly smoothie makes my hair look. I usually pair it with Mielle's coil sculpting custard. Sometimes it takes trying different brands of products to find what your curls like. My curls decide what they like and what they don't like and it can be brutal when ya realize something is hated by your curls. I hope you find things that work for you!
Ya my hair gets all “crunchy” when I use mousse too my sister says I put too much in but I don’t think that’s it also I had to go to school the day after the night I put it In 😅
To any parent struggling to make a magical Christmas: from my childhood all the best Christmas were the ones I spent with my family. I don't remember any gift or actives. Just my whole family being together. All it matters is being with family.
Happy holidays everyone!
For any parents worrying about this baby medicine shortage… you can always give smaller doses of adult medicine. Just make sure you measure it out and you can always consult your doctor.
nail on the head for how I felt this holiday season. I let myself get so behind and stressed and had a hard time enjoying it and I LOVE christmas.
Merry Christmas to the Ballinger and Stocklin family!
I can totally relate to the mini meltdown while prepping for Christmas. I had to work Christmas morning this year and between wrapping presents, visiting family and playing with my little one I've been totally exhausted and have felt like crying a couple of times myself 🥹 I hope you all had a wonderful, magical day! 💖
Merry Christmas Colleen. Laundry tip - hire someone to help with laundry and cleaning once or twice a week. It’s okay to ask for help. Girl, if I lived close I would come help you. I have been there and there are many many Moms and Dads out there feeling the same way. Parenting is hard!
Would 2 or 3 collapsible baskets for the clean laundry help keep it tidy until you, or someone else can get into the bedroom/wants to find something/has time to put them away.
You could even give Flynn his full basket and help him to learn to put clothes away, teaching him sorting as well.
"It's okay to ask for help" as if she doesn't stay at home full time with her husband, personal assistant/best friend, nanny and mother around almost 24/7. Lmao she has more than enough already compared to the average and overwhelming majority of struggling moms
@@sagevfdang your mad why would u get upset for someone getting help yes she has a few people around helping her but they aren’t their 24/7
My birthday is Christmas Eve. My Birthday has never been my birthday since I had kids. Took me a while to accept it, but you find a way to make peace and make space to celebrate yourself, as well as for your family to be excited for the holidays. You have loved Christmas your whole life - give yourself room to adjust to the new normal as a mother to 3 kids to celebrate Christmas. It may not look like it used to, but you will still find the magic. It is 100% to say no to things. It doesn't diminish your love for your family when you do.
Tortilla talk question: Seeing Flynn is able to communicate his feelings, has he ever said he didn’t/ doesn’t want to be on camera?
I like these "raw" videos. I can totally relate with this. Sending hugs!
Hey Colleen! I saw someone on TikTok share her cleaning hacks when she's having a hard time. One thing that has transformed her life is how she handles her family's laundry. She puts it through the machines as usual but once everything is clean it'll go into piles on the floor by either the person (Flynn, you, Erik, twins) or all the jeans will be in one pile, all the sweatshirts in one, etc. Idk if this would work for you, but maybe worth to try!
My sister in law did this, it certainly helps
“It’s 2AM… i still have presents to wrap… i’m the worst.”
COLLEEEEEEEEN STOOOOOOOOOP. you are the best for wanting to create the best memories for you and the family. You wanting to make it happy and the best holiday is what gets you overwhelmed. And we get it, but please be kinder to yourself. You have a very big, genuine heart and it’s about time you tell yourself that you are great and that what you do, whatever you do, you are doing your best. So please, please. Appreciate yourself more. You are never boring. Come on. Enjoy the holidays for what it is. You are doing great.
Hi Colleen just want to say thats it okay for you to feel how you feel. In fact as a daughter myself it makes me see what really goes on behind the scene and makes me see my mother more as a superwoman because the fact that I don't realize what she goes through while still providing me a magical day is incredible and I'm sure while your kids grow up the would realize this too. I hope that you had a great Christmas and that you get the rest that you deserve.
colleen, when you feel stressed and overwhelmed don’t get angry about how you feel. it’s healthy to let the emotions pass and flow through you so it doesn’t build up and nibble at you. be kind to yourself, you’re doing amazing sweetie! merry christmas to the family ❤️
Merry Christmas 🎄
Just grieving Christmas this year. We're in Buffalo where this blizzard has taken 27 lives over Christmas. People are trapped at work or on the roads freezing in their vehicles after having tried to get home from work Friday. People are running out of food & formula for their families, many of whom have been without heat or electricity for days. Plows unable to get down the roads because of all the abandoned vehicles. It's my second borns first Christmas & we're all with power/ had a chance to stock up on supplies & we're together but the grief & fear for my community is really hard to manage while we're snowed in waiting for travel bans to lift.
okay but moose getting so excited to see daisy at 6:40 was so damn cute
I got so lucky !! I've been so sick for over a week and only got about 3 presents wrapped. So my MIL volunteered to help. So my husband tool our presents over there and she wrapped and bagged them all, then he ran her errands , then brought the presents back. We have a huge family and she hosts and she still did that for me. I'm very blessed. Thank you to all the wonderful grandparents that help us raise our little villages !!
Colleen something my therapist taught me is to stop using words like "should" and "need" when you're talking about things to do. There are some things (like eating and sleeping!) that are needs, but some things on your list (laundry, making cookies, etc.) are just wants. Using "should" implies that you're already failing and it can make you feel trapped. Something simple such as saying "I didn't have time to bake cookies like I wanted" can help you feel less like you failed at something and more disappointed, which is a lot easier to deal with!!
Pls if you see this like it so Colleen can see (: I just really want to pass this along and maybe help her!
Is there any task you can delegate to Eric more? Or It comes across in the videos that you have alot of tasks on hand that you personally want to do. Is there room in your budget to get a mom's helper? Someone that can help with household tasks for you, so you can direct your attention to where you want with your kids and work? Like laundry, cleaning up, errands, unpacking etc...
The stuff doesn't make your kids Happy Colleen. They won't even remember this later in life so why are YOU making such a big deal out of it? Maybe you need to figure out why you feel the need to do everything over the top to make people happy? The stuff doesn't matter. You're the one making a big deal out of it when it's not necessary to do that to be a Mom. Give kids stuff or massive parties isn't love. That's what parent's do to make them feel better. That's for you not them.
@@dovestone_ Too many parents do stuff to make them feel better about themselves. Kid's don't need much to be happy actually. All the glitter is just a distraction for the parents. 😁
Girl I feel this so hard! I also had a complete meltdown on Christmas Eve. We as parents put so much pressure on ourselves to make everything perfect. I tried to do so much that I ended up doing most things half way and screwed up my vision for the day. My sweet kiddos could have cared less about it all , they just wanted me. It's hard, you are doing great! Sometimes we just need to have our moments so that we can move forward and see the light again ! All the love sent to you Mamma!
Colleen! You are way too hard on yourself. I too am the same way, lol! You are not alone. This is my first Christmas without my Dad who passed away in October from COVID. I'm honestly just trying to breath through each moment here lately. Thank you for being real with us. You make the world a better place!🍪🥛
Merry Christmas ❤️ Sorry to hear of your dad's passing 😢
I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending you my love&hugs.❤️🫂🎄🌟✝️
I am so so sorry 😔🙏
@@rebeccablair9626 Thank you 💙 Merry Christmas & happy new year!
@@elizabethkoobs1060 Thank you, happy new year!
I feel this feeling of stress on Christmas. And your stress is not someone else’s. I lost my mom in May and then my little sister on thanksgiving. I am trying so hard to make my boys’ Christmas magical, I’m a single mom, and also include my sisters 3 children she left behind. And I felt so stressed that I couldn’t even be sad. And then it felt like it was over in a heartbeat. My heart is sad. But just wanted to say, I’m with you. 🖤✨
Colleen you've got to get both Costco and Sam's Club memberships for all your needs that are absolutely cheaper than CVS and you get bigger quantity.
Have you ever had your thyroid checked? It looks pretty swollen. Something to consider!
Laundry tip: (maybe this will work for you maybe it won't its just what I came up with). Get a small laundry bag (the kind that zips & goes in the washer) for each person and everything they wore that day goes in it and gets washed that night. That way loads are small, everything is separate already and can easily be put away in a couple minutes in the morning! Hope this helps
Having had sick kids on the holidays several years in a row, it can definitely be rough especially on top of all of the normal ‘parent’ responsibilities and expectations. I haven’t truly been able to enjoy the holidays the way I used to in probably 10 years. My life has just changed alot and I haven’t been able to find my way back to whatever holiday joy looks like for me. I just do my best through every year and hope for the best.
Why doesn’t Erik help with laundry and cleaning etc
I'm a mom who got mono 2 days before Christmas. I was to weak to even get on the floor and help my daughter open her first christmas presents. the holidays are hard for moms but I know that my daughter enjoyed opening and building presents with her grandparents and that's what matters. children are resilient and they can find happiness even when we think we've failed. it's a normal feeling for mothers but you're doing great Collen !
Colleen! They make these awesome bags that have built in ribbons. You could save so much time! Have a merry Christmas!
There were tons of sparkly gifts, perfect decorations, and outrageous meals and treats every Christmas in my house growing up; but there were also daily beatings, verbal abuse and emotional trauma. Please trust me when I tell you that your incredible kids will look back and evaluate their Christmases not by how outwardly magical and abundant you made them, but by how happy and peaceful you were, and by how you made/make them feel so safe, so deeply loved and so special everyday of the year.
I wish we could magically be in your house to do all your laundry and cook all your meals.
I wish we could give you a hug and take away all your over-the-top self expectations.
I wish you could just allow yourself to be upset and disappointed and not use it to add another layer of self-judgement. ❤
The CDC just made an announcement begging people to please only buy baby/kids pain/fever medications as needed or if you do purchase it, please only buy one at a time so that others might have an opportunity to purchase some as well. Winter illnesses are running rampant!
I feel this so much. It's my first Christmas as a mama, and I just wanted the most perfect day. It was far from what i had invisioned for my son's first Christmas. My house was a mess, I didn't have time to make any holiday treats, presents still needed to be bought/ wrapped, and to top it off my dad ended up in the hospital and had an emergency surgery so we still haven't even done Christmas with my family. One thing this year keeps showing me is that expectation and reality are 2 very different things. My sweet husband told me I'm trying to take on too much in a very little amount of time and I need to put things in perspective and think about what truly matters. And the only thing that matters is my family. When my son looks back at pictures of that day, the only thing he will see is parents that love him, not a mess kitchen sink 💗
You’re normal to feel stressed as a Mom at Christmas. You might have to alter some traditions to reduce your own stress.
For instance, Santa might be concerned about the environment and stop wrapping the presents from him. Just gift tags. Only Mom and Dad’s presents are wrapped under the tree.
(When I was little, it was very exciting to see the unwrapped gifts that were from HIM!)
As I wrapped gifts this year, I chastised myself for creating so much more garbage.
Holidays add chores for moms, who are already up to their eyeballs in laundry! (Laundry is never done.) You are not alone. If you don’t get to some of those special things, no worries. Your kids won’t care there wasn’t more. They will love your joy, and whatever you get to.
Every mom gets stressed and wants Christmas magical. I think as I get older, you have to try not to over do for your kids, they get stressed out too if you do to much. Think back of your grandparents era and the magic of reading Christmas stories and the love that they shared with each other. Small can be just as magical. 💜❤️ I love your heart and how empathetic you are, when you saw the empty shelf’s of medicine… you are such a beautiful soul. Merry Christmas to your sweet family.
Great Christmas spirit Coleen. Complaining like always.
Colleen I go through this EVERY year. I'm stressed I never do enough for everyone. Every Christmas eve I'm bawling but Christmas Day is always a blast. I totally get it
Colleen I know you probably will never see this but I’ve never needed your upload more than right now. Thank you so much for being a constant in so many of our lives. Having your vlog to watch tonight before I go to bed has just relieved my mind ever so slightly (but oh so necessarily) all of the bad things that happened today and I’m just so grateful that when I logged onto TH-cam you’ve uploaded a video😂❤️ thank you thank you xxx
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You said yourself with the sprinkles, your head sets impossible goals for you. They really are ❤
I love this unedited Colleen. It somehow makes you even more relatable. I feel like we're friends and I'm just listening to you and empathizing, 'cause girl, it's meltdown season right now. This has been an unbelievable gongshow of BS during the most important week of our year. My sons 1st birthday on the 17th, husband's birthday on the 23rd, and our anniversary is Christmas Day. The whole week got trashed and I don't know how to not be wrecked about it.
Your feelings are so relatable as a mom. That pressure of trying to make Christmas magical for your kids but being mad at yourself for being stressed instead of just enjoying the moment. Add having sick babies to that and I FEEL you girl. Being a mom is hard. Merry Christmas to you all.
I would give anything to feel that stress of getting ready for Christmas with a family and children. You are blessed.
Honestly seeing Colleen be raw and real and show all the ups and downs of real life is one of the main reasons I watch her videos.
She has the money, she should just have a housekeeper to help her out at this time of year at least.
@@snake.puppet a lot apparently 😂. But tbh if I had the money I’d happily employ all of the above. I wouldn’t act like my life is so hard though.
Colleen get Eric to help out so not everything is on your shoulders todo. I’m sure he helps but it seems like he can help out more if you’re so overwhelmed and stressed. Sometimes it’s ok to ask for help especially from your loving partner. You’re a team and when one can’t give anymore that’s where the other should step in to help.
I absolutely love this unedited content I’m watching. For the past 7 hours I’ve just been sitting around with nothing to do on X-Mas soo thank you Colleen❤️
Colleen those glitters are not edible. They re just food safe. So it’s better not to use it the food for kids
food safe… what’s that mean
I cry a lot too. Life’s so hard. Hugs
Hugs back to as well ❤️
As a mom of two teenagers now, trust me when I say go for mostly done and not perfection. My kids have memories of the FUN we had TOGETHER and not all the other things we moms pressure ourselves to do!!! Moms needs to take time to just BE with their kids and realize that is where the memories are--not the wrapped gifts, the clean house and special treats!
Not a mom here, but the magic I always felt was not in the presents or the food but in my mom and my dad. Don't be so hard on yourself. Your kids absolutely LOVE you
So did we. My mom always wrapped our stocking gifts. So it was always a big surprise. If could be soap or candy or earrings...etc. Yes, sometimes out big present was in our stockings. I lived it and carried it over to my adult family. My husband was so awesome to honor my Christmas traditions. ❤️❤️❤️