Hey, parents. We made it—December! If your house is anything like mine, it’s full of a mix of twinkly lights, half-finished crafts, and the occasional frantic “Where’s the tape?!” moment. The holidays are magical, sure, but they can also feel like a sprint where you’re dangerously closing to bonking at that finish line.
But what if we called a time-out? Not from the holiday fun, but from the pressure to do it all. This year, I’m trying something different—embracing slow parenting. It’s about focusing less on the picture-perfect Instagram moments (spoiler: my family´s’ “idyllic” gingerbread houses are known to collapse—or be snarfed up entirely—within five minutes) and more on the little joys: impromptu dance parties, storytime snuggles, and yes, even the occasional lazy day in pajamas.
In solidarity, I thought I’d share a few ideas to help you fellow parents slow down and enjoy this season—and highlight how Genie can have your back while you do it.

Pick a Few Favorite Traditions and Let the Rest Go
The list of “expected” holiday traditions can feel endless: decorating cookies, building snowmen, caroling, elf-wrangling. Here’s your “official” permission to choose just a few favorite things that actually make you and your kids happy and just leave the rest of that exhaustive list to the brave and busy beavers out there (more power to them and Godspeed).
Some great news is that Genie can help brainstorm those choice traditions. The kid-centric app is packed with creative activity ideas tailored to your kiddo’s age and interests. Need a holiday craft that doesn’t involve glitter taking over your kitchen? Genie’s got you covered.
Let Stories Do the Heavy Lifting
One of my favorite ways to slow down is by cozying up with my kids for a good storytime sesh. But let’s be honest—by December 15th, my brain can be pretty fried, and my Christmas miracle becomes barely remembering how “The Night Before Christmas” starts.
Enter Genie. The app can create personalized, holiday-themed stories that even feature your child as the star. Take your kiddo on an adventure to help a mischievous snowflake find its way home, where they are the hero of the hour in the end. It is sure to be a hit—who doesn’t love being the hero? And the best part? Dad and/or mom get to relax and focus solely on savoring that priceless, ever-smaller-as-they-age window of snuggle time while Genie does the storytelling.

Take a Curious Detour
Kids are curiosity personified, especially this time of year. Why are there candles on a menorah? What’s Kwanzaa about? And, a personal favorite, “How does Santa eat so many cookies without getting a tummy ache?”
With Genie, you don’t have to scramble for answers. It’s like having a super-smart (and kind) helper that explains big questions in a way kids can understand and that’s suitable for their age.

Embrace the Quiet Moments
This one can be a tough one for most, myself included. I’m a “get it done” kind of person, but I’ve learned that the magic of the holidays is often in the in-between moments: watching the lights on the tree, sipping hot cocoa, or listening to your kids´ infectious giggling at something they find ridiculously funny.
And if (okay, when) that inevitable point arrives when you need a few beats to step away from those infectious giggles that now threaten to “infect” your last nerve (it happens!), Genie is great at giving you those moments too! It’s a safe, supportive companion for your kids when you need five minutes to breathe—or wrestle with that string of lights that somehow ties itself in knots every year.
A Season of Presence, Not Perfection
So this December, let’s give ourselves the gift of slowing down. Let’s swap the stress for snuggles and the chaos for connection. You don’t need a perfect holiday; you just need this one, with your messy, magical family.
And when you need a little backup? Genie’s there to help—whether it’s creating a story, suggesting an activity, or answering your kid’s 37th “why” query of the day.
Here’s to a holiday season that feels a little lighter and a lot more joyful. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a gingerbread house to (re)assemble.
*(And remember: if the cookies burn, just call them “extra crispy” and dunk them in milk. Works every time.)
- Darius