I know that I sound like the Grinch so please let me clarify.
I love St. Patrick’s Day, as in really love St. Patrick’s Day. I was actually born in Ireland, I grew up Irish Step Dancing, I listen to Irish music a lot and I eat Irish bread regularly. This post isn’t really about Leprechauns. They’re quite cute. It’s also not a judgment about bringing leprechaun mischief to your home for this upcoming March holiday. It’s about me trying not to fall into the trap of feeling like I have to do it all – every holiday, every craft, and every Pinterest idea – because I can go down that rabbit hole fast.
The result of me going down that rabbit hole is an overtired, less than present, more than anxious version of me. Yes, I want my kids to have all sorts of fun and memories. And yes, all those fun colors on Pinterest look amazing but sometimes I have to just say no. I have to avoid overestimating how much time I have and underestimating how much energy I can spend preparing for a day before it starts to take away from me being fully present for the day.
I remember when we only had our older two children and someone asked me if the leprechauns were going to leave their crazy shenanigans all over our house for St. Patrick’s Day morning. The first thought that came to my mind was “I just barely finished Elf on the Shelf with a few too many close calls, Santa, a few rounds of the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny is rolling in any day now. Leprechauns? No, there will not be any leprechauns.”
We do celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Baking Irish Bread brings me a ton of joy and my kids love the recipe. I’ve thrown some green chocolates into the pancakes. Irish music often fills our home and my car on March 17th. Sometimes I sneak a box of Lucky Charms home with the groceries to mark the occasion.
My point is that you should love every green minute of leprechaun mischief if that brings you joy and fun for St. Patrick’s Day. But, don’t let the internet, Pinterest, or what works for another mom or family tell you what you “have to do” for any holiday, or worse, make you feel like you didn’t do something you should have. Your kids need you and the more present, joyful version of you is far more spectacular than anything else to them.
“May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.”
-Irish Blessing
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
