The holidays should be a time of family joy, bonding and relaxation for your children. What generally happens, however, is the pressure to go too many places and do too many things creates stress for kids. They react with anxiety when overstimulated by all that is going on around them. Parents find themselves dealing with whiny, tired little ones, whose enjoyment of the season is scant. It does not have to happen this way. Remember, you have some control of the environment. Take the stress off your kids by following a simple dynamic for creating holidays your children will treasure.
Step 1
Monitor the pace of your children's lives during the holidays. Plan days of rest when your family stays home without the interruption of errands or other activities. Instead, enjoy wrapping presents, singing seasonal songs and making holiday crafts.
Step 2
Devise a schedule for school projects that must be completed during the holiday break. You do not want your child to have to worry about a looming task. Break up the schedule for the project so your child can complete sections frequently. The anxiety associated with the project should lessen.
Step 3
Pick a few special events to attend during the holidays but do not overbook your family. You do not want the kids to have to rush from one place to another without fully enjoying anything. Also, stress and anxiety levels rise if children are too tired, hungry or pushed during holiday outings. Choose just a few key outings such as a choral event, play and parade for a single season.
Step 4
Model a calm and peaceful demeanor for your children to witness and emulate. Kids quickly discern your stress level. Help them relax by relaxing yourself. Speak in a calm voice and react reasonably to requests and unexpected news. The American Psychiatric Association says take care of yourself during the season so you have less stress to pass on to your children.
Step 5
Alternate between high-energy activities and tamer games to help children remain on an even keel. Too many frantic experiences stress young ones, causing them to become irritable. Plan a shopping trip followed by a holiday movie at home to unwind.
Step 6
Stick to a regular bedtime schedule as much as possible during the holiday season. Well-rested children handle excitement better than those jet-lagged by too many late nights. Settle the kids down with one seasonally themed bedtime story and then call for "lights out."
Step 7
Watch for signs that your child might be becoming overly stressed during the holidays. According to The University of Alabama Parenting Assistance Line, if your youngster begins complaining of various illnesses such as stomach pains and headaches, it is a sign he is anxious. Talk to your child about how he is feeling, as this will help him calm down and feel better.
