How do we survive the holidays when we're off the booze?

Are you staring down the barrel of the impending holiday season as a non-drinking, exhausted new mom or mom-to-be? Are you dreading the parties, schmoozing and office party shenanigans now that you’re off the booze and supposedly a responsible adult? Here’s a couple of survival tips for the holiday parties from those of us who’ve been there..

1) Look glamorous and you’ll feel better. If the budget can stretch to one of the new gorgeous dresses for the big of bellied (or nursing mamas) then yippee. If not, how about mulit-tasking a rejuvinateing face mask while you map-quest the directions, trying a new cute up-do (or for the super-exhuasted… a hat), or digging out the sparkly eyeshadow, the old favorite perfume and earrings. Not only will you look hot, but feel a bit sexier too… its probably the look that got you into this motherhood prediciment in the first place though so be careful.

2) Do some smart substitution. Yes we’re afraid it’s time to start switching mocktails for cocktails, flats for heels and the route to the hospital for the directions to the after-hours club. You might also need to readjust your cellphone these holidays… time to replace the drunk-dialing speeddial spots with your mother’s, your OB-GYN’s and your Pediatrican’s.

3) Be prepared. This holiday season you have a new list of things to look forward to… waking up without a hangover, showing friends/co-workers the embarrassing drunken photos you took of them, and not finding a photocopy of your butt pinned to the office supply room wall. And while you may also need to be prepared to leave the party early this year… the bump/baby may just be the excuse you’ve been longing for.