With the holiday season in full swing, parents may already be feeling overstretched between holiday functions, entertainment plans and nagging wish lists.

Despite the busy nature of the season, don’t cancel Christmas just yet. Valley professionals offers ways for families to stay sane and stress-free during the winter months.

Susan Lenihan, director at Mount Si Montessori School, and Kerry Beymer, Family Support Manager at North Bend’s Encompass, said the first thing that stressed parents should do is keep their routine as consistent as possible.

Children need routines and even though holiday vacations are beginning, it’s a good idea for them to stick to routines such as meal and bed times. This gives both children and parents a sense of organization.

Pastor Phil Harrington of Snoqualmie Methodist Church advises parents to choose community-centered activities such as shopping and baking for someone, picking a name off of a giving tree and celebrating a donation to a worthy cause.

Also parents should know when to slow down. Harrington urges them to stop worrying about getting everything done by the 25th of December. There are 12 days of Christmas for a reason.

Finally, parents should set aside time for themselves during the season.

“You can only be the best mom or dad you can be if you take care of yourself,” Beymer said.

Being stressed and not taking time out shows and is not good for anybody else around you.

If parents make sure to “fill up their cups” with things they like, then hopefully they’ll be good to everybody else, Beymer said.

But if staying on task with a schedule gets too stressful, Beymer said it’s OK to switch things up or take a load off.

Parents should also ditch the idea that the holidays demand a perfect family with no fighting, no yelling and no problems.

People tend to fall into that mindset too easily, said Beymer. In Encompass parenting classes, she helps parents understand that all families and traditions are different — there is no right way to celebrate or do it all.

Holiday life is also made easier when children get involved. When parents are out shopping, it is smart for parents to let them know that the holidays are the season for giving.

“Bring the idea of them being fortunate,” said Lenihan.

Getting children to understand how lucky they are compared to those who are less fortunate gives them a better understanding of those in need.

North Bend mom MaryGay Quigly made sure to tell her children that the holidays aren’t all about the gifts.

When Quigly’s children, now high school and college-age, were younger, she made sure they had their naps and did not consume too much sugar.

Candace Zimmerman, a working North Bend mom with two preschoolers, said that keeping her children busy has kept her sane. It’s also helped her utilize visiting relatives and new faces to her advantage.

“We just play it by ear, and don’t get stressed out about the holidays,” Zimmerman said.