Are you getting overwhelmed right now with your children’s Purim requests? Use the STOP method and make the prep process work in a positive way.

Now that Tu B’Shvat is behind us, we’re already looking ahead to Purim! For many of us, the endless requests from our kids—paired with glossy ads and infinite options—can quickly turn excitement into stress and overwhelm.

Let’s shift our focus and approach this joyful Yom Tov with positivity and calm by planning ahead using our “STOP” method.

“STOP and Read the Room” is a strategy developed by Sara Ward, SLP, that can be adapted in many ways. For children, I often use the method of “stop and read the room” to build situational awareness; i.e. let’s read the room, and break down the setting into four main components in order to understand expectations.

As adults, we can use this same framework to plan for any upcoming holiday (or event) by breaking down our task into four simple, manageable categories.

Let’s use “STOP” to create your Purim prep plan:

Space:

Find a designated area—such as a table, workspace, or basement corner—where you can store Mishloach Manos supplies, groceries, and all your Purim paraphernalia. Having everything live in one spot reduces visual clutter and saves you from last-minute scavenger hunts around the house.

Time:

Create for yourself a practical timeline of when to have all your Mishloach Manos ready. (i.e. teachers’ need to be ready before the kid’s ones.) Give yourself two evenings, or about one week before Purim, to focus on assembling the Mishloach Manos. If your plan includes baking or more complicated assembly, build in extra time and some “wiggle room” so the process stays enjoyable rather than rushed. 

Objects / Organization:

Gather supplies you already own, like ribbons, bags, and cellophane, and take stock of what you still need to purchase. Creating a simple checklist can help prevent duplicate buys and unnecessary last-minute trips to the store.(If purchasing items online, especially from China, leave yourself a good “Plan B” in case your items don’t arrive in time.)

People:

Get your kids involved by assigning age-appropriate tasks—it’s a great way to make it a family effort and lighten your load. Bonus: when kids feel included in the process, they’re often more invested and excited about the end result.

As always, the key is to make a good plan, then “Let go, and let Hashem run the show”.

Wishing you all a joyous, meaningful, and stress-free Purim!

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