Home For The Holidays Magazine

Page 34 2022 Home For The Holidays Lincoln Daily News November 23, 2022 veryone remembers a holiday celebration that went awry. The tree got knocked over. The kids got sick. Your aunt threw a tantrum. The youngsters had a meltdown. 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 traveling, 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 downtime 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 E Continued —