Holiday Reminders

With the holidays upon us, I frequently get questions about how to “survive” the holidays. Here are my top 10 holiday reminders for families.

Top 10 Holiday Reminders

1. Not only can the holidays be tough for some adults, they can be tough for kids too. While your little one may seem gleeful about being out of school, remember no school is also a loss of a predictable schedule, and less time with beloved peers. While the break is welcomed, it can be difficult to get adjusted to a new schedule.
2. Crowds-from gift shopping to performances to family gatherings, crowds can be more of a thing during the holiday season. Pay attention to how your kids feel about crowds and how they act no only in crowds, but once they are back at home. For many kids there is anxiety around meeting new people, germs, and a general feeling of being overwhelmed. Downtime can be a chance for everyone to rest and reset.
3. Travel-going to grandma’s house can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. Everyone loves grandma but no one likes the 18 hour road trip or the 4 hour flight delay. Once arrived, remember you child can be sleeping in a new bed and/or unfamiliar environment. Make sure to talk about the trip before going. How long will it take? Bring a small familiar item from home to help ease transitions and soothe nerves. Have a fun activity up your sleeve that you can pull out if there’s a travel delay.
4. Food-there are usually a variety of goodies to try over the holidays. From moms familiar mac & cheese to grandma trying out her new fruit cake recipe there can be a lot of different things to taste. Remember to keep in mind there can be anxiety around trying new foods. Make sure to keep a few familiar standbys on hand and be understanding of your child if they express apprehension about trying something new.
5. Personal space-everyone wants a hug at the holidays it seems. Remember your child may not be a hugger, or they may be a hugger but get overwhelmed easily with new people or in crowds. Don’t force your child to physically interact with anyone. A gentle reminder to Uncle Joe that your child doesn’t like hugs can go a long way.
6. Sleep-sleep can become more important for your child during the holidays. A new time zone, a new bed, or late night festivities can really throw children off. Try to keep a consistent schedule for bedtime. A nap might come in handy if you’ve had an especially busy day.
7. Santa-love him or hate him, that’s how kids seem to view Santa. Remember that while we may want our child to have a picture with Santa or we might enjoy the picture of a screaming child sitting on Santa’s lap, meeting Santa can be an incredibly stressful experience. Last year your child may have loved Santa and this year they won’t go near him. Follow your child’s lead and don’t force it.
8. Meltdowns-it’s ok to not have holiday cheer each and every day. No matter how hard you try to prevent it, a meltdown may occur. It’s ok if it does. Support your child through it and they’ll be back spreading holiday cheer before you know it.
9. Gifts-remember gifts can be the latest toy or a trip to a new city or quality time watching a movie. Giving back or helping others are also precious gifts to give. Remind your children that gifts come in many forms.
10. Consider others-I know how stressful the holidays can be, but it’s important to enjoy the moments. It’s also important to remember that the holidays can be hard for many people. Make sure to not only consider yourself but others as well during these next few weeks.

Until next time