Surviving December as a Mum of Two🎄💗

Because it’s magical… but also absolutely exhausting.

December before kids was cosy drinks, last-minute shopping and Christmas movies you could actually finish.

December with kids?

A mix of magic, chaos, glitter in places you didn’t know existed, and trying to keep tiny humans alive, happy and entertained while also doing everything else.

As a mum of two, studying and working part time, December feels like its own special season — one that requires patience, energy, snacks and deep breaths.

Here’s how I’m surviving it. (Thriving is optional.)

🎁

1. Lowering expectations… then lowering them again

Let’s be honest: December looks different when you have small children.

There’s pressure to create perfect moments — crafts, activities, matching pyjamas, elf magic, festive days out…

But kids don’t need perfection.

They just need you.

Warm, present, doing your best.

It’s okay if:

• the crafts don’t happen

• you skip a Christmas market

• the elf “forgets” to move

• the house looks like Santa’s workshop exploded

Lower expectations → increased peace.

(Highly recommend.)

🧸

2. Choosing the “tiny traditions” instead of big plans

Instead of huge outings that cost a fortune and drain your energy, I’ve learned to lean into tiny traditions, like:

✨ hot chocolate after nursery

✨ reading a Christmas book before bed

✨ watching the tree lights together

✨ a cosy evening walk to see the neighbourhood lights

✨ baking cookies from a packet (zero shame)

Small rituals feel safer, slower, simpler — and toddlers honestly love them more.

❄️

3. Getting outside even when it’s freezing

Toddlers + four walls = disaster.

A five-minute cold walk can rescue an entire day.

Bundling them up, popping them in the pram or letting them stomp through frost is a full reset.

It’s calming for them and somehow calming for me too.

Plus, winter air hits different when you’ve been chasing two kids around all morning.

🧃

4. Snacks, snacks… and more snacks

I swear December hunger hits children like they’re training for a marathon.

The cure?

• festive snack plates

• fruit you cut into “Christmas shapes” (they’ll eat it, don’t ask why)

• breadsticks (the true hero of motherhood)

Always carry emergency snacks.

Your future self will thank you.

💻

5. Balancing the mum-life, work-life and study-life triangle

December deadlines, holiday rotas, nursery closures… it’s a lot.

The way I survive it?

Tiny pockets of productivity.

5 minutes while the kettle boils.

10 minutes during nap time.

20 minutes after bedtime.

I’ve stopped waiting for perfect conditions.

If I only worked when life was calm, I’d get absolutely nothing done — especially in December.

☕

6. Letting go of the guilt (or at least trying to)

December mum guilt hits hard:

• “Am I doing enough?”

• “Should I be more festive?”

• “Why is everyone else doing more?”

• “Am I giving them a magical Christmas?”

But the truth is:

They don’t need a magical schedule.

They need a magical mum — and you already are one.

If the house is messy, the day was long, and you’re tired… that’s okay.

You’re showing up.

That’s what they’ll remember.

🌙

7. Protecting the slow moments

Toddler cuddles under a blanket.

Warm baths.

Bedtime stories.

Night drives to look at lights.

Quiet evenings with the tree on.

These moments matter more than any big event.

December isn’t meant to be perfect — just full of little memories stitched together.

🤎

Final Thoughts: You’re Doing Better Than You Think

If December feels overwhelming, chaotic, loud, busy, magical and exhausting all at once — that’s because it is.

You’re carrying a lot.

You’re making memories.

You’re doing Christmas as a mum of two.

And honestly?

That’s a full-time job on its own.

Here’s to surviving December with love, laughter, low expectations and warm drinks (even if they’re reheated).

You’ve got this 🤎✨

Rachel x