Holiday De-Stressing.

Holiday breaks are supposedly relaxing and fun but in my case, it isn't purely bed of roses. Since Asher's nanny was contracted for a limited three month term only and since we have set two out of town trips throughout the holiday and we can't tag her along due to practical reasons, I have no choice but to attend to the little one's needs full time without much aid from anybody (except the husband who can't also do much especially if the little one demands for me). And so along the holiday and travel preps, mommy duties to an overly active 9 month old lil boy keep my hands tied and leaving me exhausted and physically drained at the end of the day. I really do want to de-stress. But with the limited time I have, it really seems it's next to impossible. I want to have a massage, watch the DVDs I bought the other week or simply read the parenting magazines that were delivered last week. Ever since I became a mom, parenting books and mags keep me abreast of everything I need to know about parenthood. They keep me company since no one's by my side to guide the newbie mom in me. Aside from the very resourceful What To Expect The First Year by Heidi Murkoff, I'm thinking of expanding my mini-library of parenting books. I've learned about Dr Daniel Amen and I got interested in his New Skills for Frazzled Parents: The Instruction Manual That Should Have Come with Your Child. I certainly need some coaching from him with regards to honing further my parenting skills. Dr. Amen has taught this parenting course for the past 15 years and he has helped a lot of struggling moms (and dads) in administering "superior" parenting skills to their children. I bet reading this isn't only de-stressing but very fruitful as well with all the learnings and information to get.