Friends, holiday season is upon us. For families with children, this time of year can be as stressful as it is joyful. Managing the holiday rush while keeping children engaged and calm is no small feat. We wanted to provide some practical tips for parents to navigate holiday stress, maintain family routines, and create a more relaxed holiday environment for kids of all ages.
For Infants and Toddlers
Maintain Routine: It is easy to fall out of habit once the holidays are in full swing. Keep in mind that young children thrive on routine. Try to keep their sleeping and feeding schedules consistent, even during busy holiday times. Predictable routines amidst the holiday hustle provide comfort and security.
Plan Ahead for Outings: Whether it’s shopping or visiting family, planning ahead can alleviate a lot of stress. Pack a bag with essentials like snacks, diapers, and a favorite toy or book. Don’t get caught out and about without your survival pack.
Quiet Spaces: Amidst louder family gatherings, ensure there’s a quiet space where your toddler can retreat to unwind, like a designated playroom or a corner with their favorite toys. Overstimulation is definitely possible, and having a break from the noise could make going to bed much easier at the end of the day.
For School-Aged Children
Involvement in Planning: Kids love to help. It’s in their nature. Get children involved in holiday preparations. Let them help with decorating, baking, or wrapping gifts. This not only keeps them engaged but also gives them a sense of contribution.
Set Expectations: Discuss holiday plans in advance so they know what to expect. This includes talking about behavior at family gatherings or understanding the schedule for the day. You may have to give them reminders at the events, but this may head off some issues before they become major behavior problems, giving you and the entire family a better chance of enjoying themselves.
Downtime is Important: Much like providing quiet spaces, ensure there’s time for rest. The excitement of the season can be overwhelming, so having periods of downtime is vital. Letting everyone “recharge their battery” can also help with behavior.
For Preteens
Assign Responsibilities: Assign age-appropriate holiday tasks like setting up the dinner table or assisting with gift wrapping. Provide some options and give them choices. This can make them feel more involved and less like passive participants in the festivities.
Respect their Space: Preteens value their independence. Allow them some personal time during the holidays, whether it’s for reading, listening to music, or connecting with friends. Not everything has to be a group or family activity.
Communicate and Compromise: Talk about holiday plans and be open to their input. Compromise where possible to include their preferences in family activities.
Some General Tips for All Ages
Manage Expectations: It’s important for parents to manage their own expectations. Not everything will go as planned, and that’s okay. The focus should be on creating happy memories rather than perfection, and children learn from moments where you have to adapt.
Prioritize and Simplify: You don’t have to attend every event or meet every holiday tradition. Prioritize what’s most important to your family and be willing to let go of less critical activities.
Create Relaxing Rituals: Amidst the excitement, have some calming rituals like reading a holiday story, taking a family walk, or having quiet time with a movie.
Monitor Sugar Intake: Holidays often bring an excess of sweets. Monitor and limit children’s sugar intake to avoid overstimulation and crashes.
Self-Care for Parents: Lastly, parents, don’t forget to take care of yourselves. Managing your stress is also key to creating a peaceful holiday environment for your children. Try to find some time for yourselves. Do an activity just for you. Your battery needs to recharge just as much as your children’s.
Of course, these are just some suggestions that we think might help during the holiday excitement. Choose the ones you think will work best for you and your family. Above all, we hope that you enjoy a relaxed and memorable holiday season.
-The DreamSpark Academy Team