As the holiday season approaches, it’s that familiar time when festive cards and newsletters fill our mailboxes. The Holiday Newsletter, in particular, often resembles an over-polished selfie—meticulously curated to project a flawless image of our lives for public admiration. I’ve been there, meticulously combing through the year to find highlights and presenting them in the best light, all while knowing that most recipients may just roll their eyes behind closed doors.
Let’s be real for a moment. Crafting an extravagant newsletter can be exhausting, especially when the reality often feels less than glamorous. How about an honest holiday newsletter instead? Here’s my take:
Dear Friends,
Well, here we are—another year has passed. Time seems to be flying by, doesn’t it? Sometimes, it feels like we’re racing towards the inevitable.
This past year has been quite the ride. Sure, we have food on the table and a roof over our heads, but honestly, it could have gone better.
The kids have had a pretty uneventful year. Max is dealing with some serious acne—definitely not inherited from me! He finally landed a job after months of us nudging him, so I guess we’ll count that as a win.
Liam is no longer in the advanced program at school; we withdrew him to spare him the embarrassment of being kicked out. He still plays soccer, but it’s nothing to write home about.
The twins are growing up way too fast! Sophia has started to experience the joys of adolescence (hello, body odor!), and Mia is prone to dramatic outbursts. Can’t wait for the teenage years when we’ll have three daughters in full swing just as I’m hitting menopause!
Ella is still adorable, which is good because she’s also becoming a little diva. And then there’s Noah, who has Down syndrome. We’re considering trying hypnosis— I read somewhere that it can work wonders. As for baby Lily, she keeps me on my toes; caring for an infant is exhausting!
Health-wise, we’ve had a decent year, aside from that unfortunate bout of stomach issues (pun intended). Oh, and the lice incident a few months ago was definitely not my favorite.
We didn’t manage a vacation this year—too many kids and not enough funds. Michael lost his job but is exploring self-employment now. Fingers crossed!
On the financial front, I’m trying to save up for some personal care—between bladder issues and contemplating a cosmetic upgrade, it’s a toss-up on what to prioritize. College funds? What college funds?
Our home is in need of repairs, but who has the energy to tackle that with all these little ones running around? I wouldn’t call it a disaster, but let’s just say it’s not exactly a showcase home. You might guess which of us has become a bit too familiar with the wine bottle and which one is relying on antidepressants. But I’ll keep that a secret.
In any case, happy holidays! Here’s to another year of chaotic, beautiful life.
Best,
Lisa
For more insights into parenting and related topics, check out our other blog posts, like this one about intracervical insemination. If you’re looking for authoritative information, Make a Mom offers excellent resources on home insemination, and Healthline is a great source for understanding pregnancy and related topics here.
In summary, this holiday newsletter offers a candid look at the ups and downs of a typical year, embracing the chaos and imperfections of family life while encouraging connection over pretense.