The holiday season is upon us and for many it is a time of joy, excitement, and activity. But it can also be a very stressful time for children and adults alike. The timing of our days is different, perhaps we travel, expectations can vary. Below you will find some tips from our staff members about how to manage the holidays and help everyone to have fun.
- Get kids outside. EVERY DAY. Fresh air and time in nature is so important to everyone and is a known de-stressor. Unfortunately, it can often be the first thing to go during the winter and especially during these busy holidays. Have the right outdoor clothing and gear and go romp around outside. It doesn’t have to be for a long time, just enough to reset the rhythm and lighten the mood.
- Continue to provide kids (and adults) with structure and consistency at this time. For events, and activities going on, prepare your kids, tell them what to expect. Walk through what the activity will look like as if you are going over your itinerary. Example: We will wake up, do this, so-and-so will come over, then we will do this or go here. Have a plan for leaving or ending if things become too much.
- It is okay to experience feelings of loss and grief during the holidays, alongside potentially feeling joy.
- You do not need to do everything. Try to set reasonable expectations for yourself and your family.
- Stick to your regular routine as much as possible.
- Plan to do things when your children are fed and rested. Watch for signs of fatigue or over stimulation and adjust the activity before things “go south”.
- Get enough rest for yourself.
- Do not force your child to have physical touch of any kind with family members. Teach your children body autonomy from a young age. Forcing touch with family members conditions your child to believe they need to put up with uncomfortable contact and emotions just because certain people are family or family friends. And remember: the way you respond when your child says no” informs their understanding of consent.
- Be in the moment. Don’t worry about making things picture perfect or feel pressure to build wonderful memories for your kids. Kids will remember time you spend with them, not whether the cookies were served on themed plates or whether the ribbon matched the wrapping paper.
- Put people first. It’s so easy, especially when we’re busy shopping, decorating, and organizing to slip into the habit of doing instead of just being. The best thing about the holidays is the chance to create more space for quality connections with family and friends. Sit with your kids every night to hear about their day and stay connected. Short bursts of undivided attention (5-15 minutes) nurture our souls.
Happy Holidays from everyone at Lund!
