Joy

Shauna Barfuss, Empowering Financial Wellness Program Coordinator

Have you been feeling FOMO = the fear of missing out? Maybe this December you have a constant running list in your head, of all the things you feel you need to do, i.e.: stockings by the chimney with care…sugar cookies…decorating…family parties…friend parties…work parties…neighbor parties…shopping...gifts for neighbors...grandparents...teachers…check check check…oh yea and the kids! 
 
Do you feel the fear of missing out might just be leaving you missing out on the JOY of the season?
 
How about another acronym instead of FOMO...JOMO = the JOY of missing out?
 
A friend of mine, who is a bit older-and a bit wiser, mother once said to me, “You know we try so hard to give our kids everything we didn’t have, but are we forgetting to give them everything we DID have?”
 
So hold on Rudolph let’s reign in the season with some JOMO! Instead of all the shopping, parking lots, eating out, walking through malls and big boxes, what if we chilled and gave our kids things we had, the things we don’t want them to miss out on which easily fit in any budget:

• Take time to read a bedtime story
• Sing their favorite Christmas song at bedtime
• Build a snowman
• Drink hot cocoa with a side of crispy buttered toast
• Play Christmas music
• Sit in the dark under the lit Christmas tree telling stories of when you were a child at Christmas
• Watch the FREE Christmas episodes as a family on the couch wrapped up in blankets.
• Write love notes of appreciation