Colman Noctor: Children need our presence during festive season not a performance

When we manage expectations we can hopefully make room for what matters most: Presence, warmth, and connection

Children remember the warmth, humour, and togetherness of Christmas, not the perfectly wrapped presents or the cleanliness of the house.  Picture: iStock

AS a psychotherapist, I know that the more perfect we want Christmas to be, the less likely it is to turn out that way. However, as a parent, I sometimes forget this.

While I don’t obsess over the perfectly-cooked dinner or matching pyjamas, I tend to get caught up in the chaos of gift-giving and excess spending. I love Christmas, I always have. I embrace the build-up, busy shops, and the frenzy, and when I go to public places in December, I often lament that “It doesn’t feel very Christmassy”.