I should warn you before you start – this one is not usual, absolutely not super serious, and not even an educational post. This post is a result of a COVID situation ‘make-it-yourself’ and enjoy by staying-mentally-healthy status. So while reading this one just keep in mind you are not alone and take into consideration it will finish one day (hopefully soon).

All good and entertaining stuff you are forced to give up and you are literally freakishly frustrated… I mean…I invite you to filter this content and think about yourself before judging me. I’m sure you will find a piece of you reading the text.

And now, writing this I already know that we will be going in a second and terrible total lockdown with all that goes together – homeschooling, online shopping, and stress bursts. All we know is that we have to stay careful and all we have is our loved ones we have to take care of. Following rules and regulations for our safety, staying home, and considering quitting Amazon Prime.

Although this year’s holidays promise to be like never before, dictated by prohibitions and restrictions I can still feel the spirit of it…basically, because I bake gingerbread man every second day…probably. I call for not losing your heart too. Serenity is the key.
We will not visit our families. We will not sit at the same festive table together. We will not be able to wish each other a ‘Happy Christmas’ in person. We will see parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles or dear friends in videocall…We will be forced to refrain from hugs, kisses.

We have been stripped by COVID of the warmest and emotional family holidays. Unfortunately.

We always wait for the moments together, evening gatherings, when you can finally be with your loved ones without hassle.
But if you look closely…in our busy times… Is it really like on Christmas postcards? A time of relaxation, tranquillity, reflection, and most importantly, creation and strengthening of bonds with the people most dear to us?
Not really…
Let’s take this COVID-due distancing situation as an opportunity to learn how to appreciate small things again.

Hence, in a way, I am happy about these different than usual pandemic holidays to be because of specific aspects. Because you expect from them what you never have time for during holidays – peace and quiet and running around the house in your pants. Because you can. And this applies to all members – including children. And I have no excessive requirements and expectations for anyone or anything. Just be.

Our plans are, let’s say – essential and not sophisticated at all. Preferably ‘not-a-plan’ would be the perfect answer to all and the right naming in this case. We want to cook together, dedicating our time to prepare some delicious dishes. We think about all these structured and ‘Master Chef’-like recipes that in usual, a work-scheduled day we are not able to manage due to the time they require. So we just skip them. But during our stay-at-home Xmas, we will be able to give a tryout, and fingers crossed – it will be a tasty and healthy time of the year!

No visits allowed, no organized events, no travels, no nothing actually. All social fun is prohibited. Obviously, it depends on where are you located and what restrictions are present those days in your area. But staying home with your closest loved ones is without any doubt literally the most secure solution in any case.
Our plan to entertain ourselves is to dust off some old but gold board games. Our goal is to give a go to Backgammon and Monopoli!

Trying to reduce screen time, I will propose the never boring role-playing… Probably I will get a part of some Steven from Minecraft or a Creeper if I will have enough luck that day!

I am not a dreamer. Only a person with undaunted optimism would think that it will work in the long run without technology…Rats!

Anyway…we are well prepared also in these situations. In this ‘honor’ we were forced to make restrictions for certain ‘zones’ that are off-limits because of the questionable content. We prepared already several fantastic old-school arcade games in a new, polished version as well as a few unusual games.

We’ve been testing excellent, freshly appeared and available entertainments which have been approved as family-friendly. I will mention here obviously our good friend AppleTv and Apple Arcade. To consider also a few pocket-size gadgets available on Amazon with relatively rapid delivery. I will let you know in the next post what exactly we are thrilled about.

I’m going to lie down on the floor trying to look like a possum and get mixed betwixt Lego block – an excellent form of mimicry. Works perfectly! I highly recommend it!

For sure this Christmas will be a lazy one. No rush, no problem. We will be sleeping until late to be able to say late in the evening watching some sagas.
No dress code. No appointment on which we must be on time.
Bad hair day will happen. Happily this time. Who cares…!

I’m not eliminating any of the best parts of course. Christmas tree well-dressed and warmly sparkling, some gifts under the tree and good, traditional dishes for all food lovers of this family. It will be like long hours spent in the kitchen LOL…

I’m projecting to do not project anything and just makes things happen this Christmas. The holidays to be as easygoing as possible. Hopefully, nothing will occur and disrupt our peaceful couch-surfing mode while celebrating in a family-bubble environment. But having boys keeps me focused all the time, and I’ve some extra tissues and wound disinfectants, cool-packs and sterile patches are within reach. Maybe I should order a whistle on Amazon in case there will be a need for a referee while fighting for a glass of juice…(face-palm)…

Basically, this post is just to tell out loud my future strategies and planned actions to make sure it will come true – it works like this – once you share, it’s easier to stick to the schedule!

So forgive me if I use you to be my virtual ‘bad policeman’. I have now a lot of eyes and ears potentially controlling me if I’m doing exactly as I just promised! And that’s how you grow your motivation and structure your environment to reach out for what you dreamed! No harm to anybody! Despite all, in this circumstance, manage to obtain the desired effects won’t be simple as it might seem due to my workaholic inclinations. Not mentioning my husband. It will be a long and hard forced relaxing time for the whole family!

Alina Magdalena Pilipionek

Founder&CEO of Autism CookBook, Personal Coach, Agile Coach, Personal Branding, Atypical Family Matters Narrator, SEN Deep Diver, Gadget Lover, Parenting Tips Researcher, GF/CF/SF/YF Nutrition Concept Developer, Educational Reviews Executor, Educational Products' Tester, Master of Scrum and Scaled Agile Framework, Motivational Speaker and Trainer, ABA/VB Live User, Spectrum Surfer, Wife&mom of 2, Certified Autism Advocate, Photography Enthusiast