2: Holiday Cheer

 



The holidays are here again, and let’s be real—sometimes we’re all aboard the holiday cheer train, maybe even the conductor, waving like we’re in a parade. Other times, the year’s been so-so, and we’re barely hanging on to that end car. And then there are the years when life feels like it’s kicking us in the teeth, and all we want to do is flip the train off as it rolls by.

I’ve been in all those places, for all kinds of reasons. As dads, it’s tough. We want our kids to have that holiday magic, even if we feel like Ron Weasley with a busted wand, where every spell just blows up in our face. But here’s the thing—it’s okay not to feel the holiday magic sometimes.

Check in with your kids, especially if things are hard at home. Maybe they’re not feeling it either. The goal isn’t a Hallmark movie holiday; it’s connection. That might look like an extra board game night with hot cocoa or just hanging out in the quiet. It doesn’t have to be Whoville-level craziness.

Even if thankfulness feels impossible, try to find one thing, no matter how small. If you’re breathing, there’s something to be thankful for. And if you’re on the opposite side—bursting with holiday magic and ready to deck all the halls—still check in with your kids. They might be down for all the sparkle and tinsel, or they might just be... down.

No matter where you land on the holiday magic spectrum, remember this: the real magic for your kids isn’t in the perfectly planned experiences. It’s you. The time you spend with them, the intentional moments where you’re fully present—that’s what they’ll remember.

And hey, it won’t all go perfectly. Some things will go sideways—it’s just how life works. But that’s okay. Roll with it, laugh at the mess, and make a memory. The real magic is in the connection, not the perfection.

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