Helping Children Avoid Holiday Stress

While the holidays are a fun for children, they are also very busy. Because of this, holiday stress and anxiety in children often accompany the holiday season. During the holidays, there are lots of activities, both at home and at school. With all the new schedule of events, however enjoyable, schedules and routines are often changed, and bedtimes are much later, often creating holiday stress. The holidays can be a difficult time for children who have lost a parent, sibling or close relative, as well as, a child from a divorced family. The child may feel sad and miss the family he/she had before. Children with active military Moms and/or Dads may also experience holiday stress. Whatever the cause, parents should be diligent in taking measures to alleviate holiday stress.

So… how can you help your child avoid holiday stress?

• Show your child that you can handle your holiday stress, by staying relaxed and calm. Children pick up a patent’s signal, whether calm or anxious, and imitate the behavior. Take care of yourself. Try to avoid being overloaded with obligations. If you feel stressed, exercise, and eat right, as much as possible, to help avoid holiday stress.

• Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep. Give some “down time.” with quiet activities, like listening to music, taking a walk or reading a book.

• Discuss holiday plans, and include your child in the planning. Predictability is important to your child, thus last-minute plans can increase stress. And, try not to over schedule, attempting to do every event around. Pick and choose the one’s that will be most meaningful to your family.

• Maintain family traditions, even if a parent is absent. Traditions keep your child “grounded” by knowing that even though some things have changed, other things remain the same. Don’t promise things you can’t produce, such as whether someone will be home in time for the holidays, if the decision is really out of your control. And do not over compensate for an absent parent.

• Schedule some time to get your child outside, to run around and play. Fresh air and exercise are great ways to alleviate holiday stress and anxiety.

• Try to slip in healthy eating, when possible. Pack healthy snacks when you go shopping or run holiday errands. Watch the amount of sweet treats at home.

• Children love to help mom and dad (remember to give a little praise). This will help boost your child’s self esteem, and prevent holiday stress and anxiety.