Creating Holiday Traditions with Aging Parents for the Whole Family

Picture it: A brand-new snowfall. Dressing the kids in 10 layers of clothing and dragging them and their sleds to the park with the best hill. Climbing in those sleds with said bundled offspring and careening down the embankment with the wind whipping in your face. Such wonderful holiday memories.

But that was then. And this is now.

There is so much about that scenario that might now give you pause. Not the least of which would be how to get out of that sled once you’ve managed to wedge yourself in.

Simply put: You’ve changed.

The question is, do your children realize that you are still your fun-loving self, but have altered your perception of what constitutes excitement and celebration?  The good news is they still see you as the mom or dad that could plummet down the snowy hill screaming with the best of them. The bad news is they still see you as that mom or dad who could plummet down the hill screaming with the best of them. Kids are funny that way.

To be clear, you are still up for a good time, but not exactly up for free-soloing. Or really loud bands. Or eating dinner at 9:00. Or parking 6 miles from the …fill in the blank. Let’s say, on the fun spectrum, you are a little left of Devil May Care. But definitely to the right of Party Pooper. So, how do you let your kids know you are the same, yet different?  

The key is conversation.

As you contemplate celebrating this holiday season with your loved ones, start with a family meeting. In a perfect world, your grown kids will ask you what holiday activities you would enjoy. Does anybody need reminding we do not live in a perfect world? Chances are they will give you a list of all the things they want to do with you and the kids. Your best strategy is to be prepared with a list of your own.

Here are a few ideas to help inspire intergenerational holiday fun.

  • Everybody Loves a Good Project

If you will be spending time with little ones, there is nothing they love more than a good craft project. You can come prepared with inexpensive kits for making headbands, spaceships, bracelets, and terrariums. Or just go outside and collect some rocks for painting and decorating and use them as centerpieces for your holiday meal. Or invest in one box of magnet tiles that will yield hours of creativity and imagination. It’s the perfect way to spend quality time with the little ones and not have to chase them around.  

  • A Little Holiday Baking

Speaking of the holiday meal, why not bring your favorite recipe and cook it with the family. Even the little ones can get involved. Or just buy some chocolate, mini pretzels, M&Ms and sprinkles. Put them on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Then put them in the freezer. Voila! You have chocolate pretzel bark that the kids will love to make - and everybody will love to eat. And of course, nobody will complain if you invite them to bake holiday cookies.

  • Story Time

After a holiday lunch or dinner, gather your loved ones together for story time. You can bring age-appropriate books or better yet, tell the kids some of the stories of your own life. They will love to hear about your misspent youth. Bring some pictures so they can see how you looked in your glory days.

  • Watch an Episode

Nobody wants to plant kids in front of the TV for hours on end. But, if you let them choose one favorite episode of Gabby’s Dollhouse, Creature Cases – or any one of the multitudes of shows they love, you’ll have the double pleasure of cuddle time and a ½ hour respite between activities. If it is just you and your grown progeny, pick a favorite holiday movie, relax, and enjoy both movie and company.

  • Take a Walk

You may not want to hurl yourself down a snowy hill. But you can still bundle up and go for a walk around the neighborhood with everybody. Make it an evening walk to take in the lights. The fresh air will perk up everybody’s spirits. Get cozy afterward sipping hot chocolate - with marshmallows of course!

There’s No Place Like Overture for the Holidays

Join the multitudes of happy active seniors who have rightsized into one of Overture’s premier senior apartment communities, and let the holiday celebrating begin. State-of-the-art upscale apartments and resort worthy facilities make Overture the perfect place to create new family traditions. If your family members live out of town and are unable to visit, rest assured you can eat, drink and be merry with a fun-loving, supportive, inclusive community of peers who share your circumstances.

Book a tour today. Your kids may not always get you. But your new friends at Overture definitely will.