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 The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays can turn a
family’s world upside down between children being out of school,
parents being off work, and families traveling.
All the excitement can be stressful especially for children.
The question is how might you avoid all this stress?
Some possible ways to avoid these problems is to assess goals for
your children, plan your traditions, and find ways to help your
children with changes in routine.
In “7 Tips to Manage Your Child’s Routine During the Holiday
Season”, Evan Koch says the time spent doing “holiday shopping,
traveling, food, parties, visits and visitors can create enough
stress to exhaust the most festive of us.”
Adults in stress may not realize their children’s stress could be
even greater especially with many events that interrupt their
routines. As Koch says, “changes in schedule, though
well-intentioned, can impact behaviors and moods.”
As much as possible, then, try to stick to some of your normal
routines during the holiday season. During school breaks, this can
be especially important.
In “Why Sticking to Your Child’s Routine is a Good Idea During the
Holidays,” Jamie Spence says, “Many parents and children struggle
with adjustments to their children’s routines during the holidays.
Though they may not have school and some of their regular activities
may be discontinued temporarily, children still need structure and
routine. You can help your child adjust by letting them know what to
expect each day at home.”
Even if you are travelling, it is best to ensure children stick with
predictable bedtimes, practice good eating habits, and stay with
established routines to reduce stress.
Adults can set an example by staying calm and relaxed. In “How to
Prevent Holiday Stress and Anxiety in Children,” Katherine Lee says,
“if you let holiday stress get to you, your kids will definitely
pick up on it, and child anxiety is more likely to be a problem in
your house.”
As you assess goals for your children, setting up behavioral
expectations can help. For example, when kids are tired or hungry
try to avoid big gatherings, which can lead to more stress.
Watching what children eat to help keep them calm can mean
minimizing sweet treats at home and while out and about. When you
run errands or shop it is a good idea to pack healthy snacks like
popcorn, apple slices or cheese.
As you plan activities, be aware of your child’s limits and know
what may trigger behaviors. When activities and events are long,
make sure to give them down time and opportunities to recharge.
Create strategies to reduce behaviors that could happen at certain
events. If events are going to last into the late evening, consider
taking pajamas to put your children in. That way, they will be ready
for bed when you get home.
Set realistic expectations for your children, recognizing their
limitations. In “How to Take the Stress Out of the Holidays,” the
Child Mind Institute says, “factoring in kid’s limitations when you
make plans will reduce stress on everyone.” As the article says,
“Children who tend to be impulsive need structure to minimize
disruptive behavior. Not overestimating your kids’ patience and
ability to focus will help you enjoy yourself more, too.”
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Even as you try to stick to routines, some
flexibility may be necessary. While there are some traditions you
may wish to keep, consider whether there are others that could be
changed. Space traditions throughout the season instead of trying to
do everything at once.
When it comes to holiday events, quality is more important than
quantity. Choose activities you as a family can all enjoy together.
The happy times with family are what the children will remember, not
the number of events you attended.
When an upcoming event means the schedules are going
to be different let children know ahead of time, so they are
expecting it. Doing that can help reduce the likelihood of
meltdowns.
In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, know that there are times
that you should expect emotions. When parents are tense, children
pick up on it and may also become irritable. With so much going on,
some stress is inevitable, but you still should try to have fun and
relax. When the holidays are over, what you are likely to remember
are the moments when everyone was having fun and relaxing.
Though there is likely to be some stress during the holidays no
matter what you do, finding ways to reduce stress should make for a
happier holiday for everyone. After all, making memories is more
important than having a picture-perfect holiday.
[Angela Reiners]
Resources:
Koch, Evan. “7 Tips to Manage Your Child’s Routine During the
Holiday Season.”
https://pulse.seattlechildrens.org/7-tips-to-manage-your-childs-routine-during-the-holiday-season/
Lee, Katherine. “How to Prevent Holiday Stress and Anxiety in
Children.”
https://www.verywellfamily.com/holiday-stress-and-anxiety-in-children-620516
Spence, Jamie. “Why Sticking to Your Child’s Routine is a Good Idea
During the Holidays.”
https://www.entirelykidspediatrics.com/why-sticking-to-your-childs-routine-is-a-good-idea-during-the-holidays/
The Child Mind Institute. “How to Take the Stress Out of the
Holidays.”
https://childmind.org/article/how-to-take-the-stress-out-of-the-holidays/
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