While the holidays are a wonderful time to spend with loved ones, some kids, especially young children, tend to experience sensory overload and heightened emotions due to hectic schedules, relatives dropping by, and the overall excitement of the season. Here are a few useful tips to keep in mind to help with managing holiday stress during this season.
Ways To Manage Holiday Stress
Prioritize Commitments and Don't Overschedule
As parents, we have a lot of family obligations that we can't skip over during the holidays. But it's important to limit holiday festivities to help manage holiday stress and to prevent kids from getting overwhelmed. When kids know what to expect, they experience less anxiety and stress, so it is critical to maintain a consistent routine and keep a regular schedule.
Make Time To Connect
It's important to spend quality time with your kids, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Spending time with your kids strengthens your relationship and gives the both of you a mental break from the chaos. By giving your child the attention they need and deserve, you may help them avoid tantrums, prevent them from acting out and feeling overwhelmed. This plays a huge part in managing holiday stress and your kids will cherish the days you spent together making cookies or watching movies while drinking hot chocolate on the sofa.
Make Eating Healthy A Priority
It's normal for relatives to treat kids to sweet goodies and unhealthy foods during the holidays. Unhealthy eating causes stress and anxiety in kids since food affects children's behavior. It's a good idea to have healthy snack options on hand to manage holiday stress. Keep an eye on how much sugar your child eats and make cookies and candies occasional treats.
Get Enough Sleep
Making sure your child is getting enough sleep is especially important for managing holiday stress. Well-rested children are less stressed and are less likely to have mood swings during this hectic time of year. If you're anticipating a later bedtime for your child, ensure they get naps in throughout the day. Additionally, consider adjusting their bedtime the next day to compensate for the imbalance.
Prepare Ahead Of Time
Talking with your kids before they're faced with difficult situations, helps them know what to expect. This way, you can help them create a game plan to deal with the situation. Rehearsing scenarios with your child, for example, is a great tool for managing holiday stress. It provides kids with structure, prepares them for what's to come, and helps set expectations. Your child is less likely to act out and feel more comfortable when you play out these scenarios with them before they happen.
You may also like:
5 Ways To Encourage Baby To Play Independently
Top 10 Holiday Movies For Families
10 Creative Ideas & Activities For Sensory Play
Be sure to visit our blog for more ideas for ways to spend quality time with your kids this holiday season.