Home For The Holidays Magazine

Page 35 2022 Home For The Holidays Lincoln Daily News November 23, 2022 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.” 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. Continued —