Ways to Help Kids Cope with Holiday Stress

The holiday season is just around the corner and with Halloween past us, we are 

only at the start of a busy few months. Parents are frequently aware of the stress they feel during this hectic season. From the hustle and bustle of the mall to the mean preparation for out of town guests, there is a lot to contend with each year. Children, on the other hand, seem to delight in the glittering lights, festive atmosphere and break from the routine (especially homework). But the holiday season can also put a stress on their growing bodies and minds regardless of their love of the season.

Still, there are a number of things parents can do to help their children have a more enjoyable holiday while avoiding the burnout that inevitably comes at the end of it all. By finding the joy in the next few winter months together with your children, you can all have a more exciting and fun holiday and help each other to ditch the stress.

Shopping and Travel Stress

Battling crowds in malls is one of the biggest challenges people cite as causing stress during the holidays. From the long lines at the mall to the bad traffic on the highway, parents are easily stressed out in these situations. Children can feel the effects of this as well and can become equally overwhelmed by it all. Here are a few ways to help.

·      Avoid taking your children shopping whenever possible.  Shopping too much with your kids is not only stressful for them but can also be stressful for you. Instead, try to leave them with a family member or babysitter and take care of your errands on your own. They will appreciate you for it and you will get what you need to get done faster.

·      Keep road trips entertaining.  If you are tired of hearing the whine of ‘Are we there yet?’ it may be a good idea to pack the car full of entertainment for your children. Find games that you can play as a family as you speed down the highway and make the road trip feel shorter for everyone in the car.

Partying Stress

Late nights and poor nutrition can take a toll on any person’s body. But on the body of a child that is still in its growth stages, the toll can be even worse. Sugar highs to sugar crashes can exhaust your little one leaving them feeling stressed by all of the events of the season, instead of joyful. Here are a few things you can do to help them get the most out of all of your parties without them feeling the physical toll.

·      Limit the sugar.  Sugar has a number of negative effects on the body and for children who are already on a high (or low) from all the festivities, sugar can only work to amplify their emotions. Limit the amount of sugar they have at dinner and for dessert and you will all feel better.

·      Create your own family traditions.  When the stress of rushing from house to house has you and your children fatigued, create your own tradition of staying at home tonight just with your immediate family. Find some holiday movies and curl up by the fire to take a night off from the craziness of the season and give your bodies some much needed rest.

Emotional Stress

Saying hello to family members you have not seen since last year may be fun but it can also be intimidating for a child who feels nervous. Then, as quickly as they overcome their nerves and start fawning over their cousins and grandparents, it is time to say goodbye again. This is an emotional time for your child and can leave them feeling anxious. Amplify this by their fatigue from the holidays and you have a stressed out child. Here’s how to help them overcome their emotional stress.

·      Be patient with tantrums.  This may feel more difficult than usual with your already heightened level of stress but it is important to make a conscious effort to remain patient during a temper tantrum. Your child is stressed and is likely unsure of how to express their feelings.

·      Give them a pen and paper.  Children love to express themselves through art and drawing. If your child is one who reaches for the coloring book every chance they can, give them the opportunity to color a picture for the family they are going to see, or the family they left behind. This can work as an immediate ice breaker when they enter a new city and can help them to feel connected even after they return home.

As you approach the holiday season, use these tips to keep yourself and the family less stressed and happier during what is meant to be a joyful time of year.

Author bio:

Jane Bongato is part of the team behind Open Colleges, Australia’s provider of child care and counseling courses.  Jane is an early childhood educator with a background in Psychology, and closely works with children who have special needs for about 6 years now.  She regularly writes about child care and parenting.