Read on Twitter
Started the day making a tidy gift list for the upcoming season. If you don't worry about gifts, who receives them in your family, or you're as surprised as everyone else when someone opens something "from you", remember how much labor goes into this season.
Women take the brunt of creating "magic" and "fun" for their families during the holiday season. While some women might enjoy this process, I can promise you that the stress of making everything perfect takes a lot of joy out of any affair.
Especially in this year, when there is no social aspect to shopping and the stress of providing something has to be weighed with the stress of actually getting it, there will be extra work for these women. Layer that onto the financial constraints of the epidemic.
I expect the stress that women have experienced thus far will be compounded exponentially in the next few months. Kids indoors, the shortest days, make it fun, make it festive, and above all, make it look pretty and breezy and easy. Don't stress me out with your stress!
Want to know what you can do for a woman or provider under holiday stress this year:
1. be clear about expectations. If you don't want gifts or can't afford gifts, be straightforward and let them know. I love not giving expensive gifts. I hate hidden expectations.
1. be clear about expectations. If you don't want gifts or can't afford gifts, be straightforward and let them know. I love not giving expensive gifts. I hate hidden expectations.
2. offer to take on the hardest freaking gift and update them about your progress. If your father is impossible to shop for, it's your job to do it. Ask him what he wants, follow through, email your significant other and let them know you are working on it and will do it.
3. show interest or joy in their work this season. They've just gotten something amazing from EBAY or found a hard to find thing. Support them. This is work! It takes time. You didn't do it for a reason. And you'll reap the benefits.
4. In general, recognize this hidden labor and make sure that you are supportive in any way that they need. Don't wait to be asked 4 times to bring something up from the basement or make it seem like your work or play is more important.
Guess what: those people that provide this service have other things to do as well! They work, they want to relax, they want to watch a mindless show. But they are doing something that benefits the whole family.
I can't emphasize enough how laborious this season is for women. Nothing makes me angrier than the lack of recognition for women's labor during this time. They are struggling. This year will be harder. Praise or pay them!
