Never let your schooling interrupt your education.

The introverted mom’s advent calendar

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Written by Jamie C. Martin

Hey there, fellow introverted mama. The countdown has begun.

We can face the upcoming weeks with wonder, delight, and sacred stillness.

OR we can crash and burn–driving ourselves into the ground as we attempt to do more and be more and have more and shop more. Which will we choose?

This time of year can be a challenge for moms of any personality type, but I think introverted mothers are especially susceptible to ending up drained and depleted before Christmas even arrives. 

You see, throughout this season we work hard to create an inspiring home atmosphere for those we love: we bring up the decorations from the basement, we choose a tree, we test the fairy lights. We make to-do lists for the weeks ahead and think about all that needs to be done.

But this year we’re also going to have a tool to remind us that in order to stay healthy as introverted mothers, we genuinely need a little alone time to recharge each day, especially as Christmas nears:

Here’s how the calendar works:

1. Download and print it out! Regular paper is absolutely fine, though you can use cardstock.

2. Cut out all 24 slips–or have a child do it for you! Each one is a self-care “permission slip.” There is also a page of blank slips so you create your own if you prefer. Just make sure you have 24 total.

3. After you’ve cut the slips, fold the part with the self-care suggestion over (see above), so that you can no longer see it. This will keep each day’s treat a surprise until you “unwrap” it.

4. Find a bowl or basket of some sort to keep your advent calendar in. (I put mine in my favorite tea tin!) Keep this bowl by your bedside or in a “Mama only” space.

5. Beginning December 1st, randomly choose a permission slip from your bowl. They are interchangeable so it doesn’t matter what order you go in–that’s the fun part!

Here are just a few examples of the calendar’s self-care suggestions:

  • Light a candle & read a favorite holiday poem aloud for yourself. Google “Little Tree” if you need one to start with. 
  • Write a list of everything good that has come into your life today.
  • Go “nature shopping” for a few moments. Bring at least one item back in to enjoy.
  • FYI: Some of the slips have web addresses included – carefully type these in exactly as printed for fun surprises!

6. Carve out a little time for you each day. You have my official permission to get the kids’ settled with a holiday audio book, put them in front of a video, or just ask them to play in their rooms–whatever it takes!

7. Enjoy a more peaceful holiday season! The point of this advent calendar isn’t to make ourselves the focus of these days. Rather it’s to keep ourselves fueled so that we can truly revel in Christ’s birth, and in these precious moments spent with our families.

Introverted mama, don’t run yourself into the ground this advent. Let these tiny permission slips become a symbol to help you remember, each day, what matters most.

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your personality type needs most!

About Jamie C. Martin

Jamie is an introverted mom of three, who loves books, tea, and people (not always in that order), and avoids answering the phone when possible. She co-founded SimpleHomeschool.net in 2010 and began IntrovertedMoms.com in 2020.

Jamie is the author of four books, including Give Your Child the World (reached #9 on Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers list), and her latest release, Introverted Mom (an ECPA bestseller). Her work has been featured by LeVar Burton of Reading Rainbow, the Washington Post, Parents, Today Parenting, and Psychology Today.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  6. Kim @ Homesteader's Heart

    I there. I’ve tried 3 times to get this to work and I haven’t seen any email. I’ve checked my spam and promotions folder and everything. This really sounds like something I would enjoy. Is there any other way to get it?
    Thank you so much for your time.
    Kim

  7. Trishna Martin

    Hey Mom, I’ve just read your post! Very good and I love the photos that you took.

    Love Trishna (Pianist) ????????????

  10. Jennifer McHale

    Thank you! Introverted Mom has been such a blessing to me (and my kiddos). Looking forward to this little treasure as well. Happy holidays and God bless you!

  11. Miriam Trevillian

    I would love access to this printable! I’ll even buy the book 🙂 How do I go about getting the printable?