6 Tips to Help the Holiday Run Smoothly
It is that time of the year again and as much as you enjoy spending time with your family during the Holidays, you are dreading hosting it at your house. It is stressful enough to have to prepare so that everything goes perfectly, but on top of that you have to worry about your child behaving. You are worried they are going to be out of control! The last thing you want is for them to throw a temper tantrum.
Below are 6 tips to help the holiday season run as smoothly as possible.
1. Give them a heads up
Some children become overwhelmed when their routine is broken. Let your child know in advance everything that is going to take place during the holiday. If possible, provide your child with exact times. The most details you can provide your child the better. Let your child know as soon as possible if any changes do occur. Ideally, try to the follow your child’s daily routine as much as possible. For example, do not deviate too much from your child’s bedtime just because it’s the holidays. Do not allow your child to stay up more than one hour past their bedtime.
2. Have realistic expectations
Children are children. It is very difficult for a child to be able to stay seated during a long holiday dinner. They will become fidgety. Allow your child to leave the table after they have finished their meal. You may ask them to return to the table after they have taken a “break.”
3. Pay attention to your child’s behavior
If you are noticing that your child is more hyperactive than usual, assist your him/her in burning that energy, especially prior to dinnertime. You may do so by having your child exercise. This can be as simple as doing jumping jacks. Exercise will help them with calming down. If your child appears to be overwhelmed and/or overstimulated, help them regulate. Take your child to a calm place in the house and engage in a relaxing activity such as playing with play-doh.
4. Give your child attention
Sometimes we try our best to ensure all of our guests are having a good time that we don’t give our children the attention they need. When your child feels ignored, they may begin displaying unwanted behaviors in an effort to receive your undivided attention. Ensure you engage with your child throughout the day and that your interactions are positive. If possible, play with your child for at least 15 minutes.
5. Get your child involved
Give your child a job during the holiday celebration. It can be something such as baking cookies, setting up the dinner table, and/or taking pictures throughout the day. Praise your child, ideally in front of family/friends, for the good job that they are doing and tell them that they are being a good helper.
6. Do not make your child uncomfortable
During the holidays, your child may see friends/family that they may not see often. Do not force them to give guests hugs and kisses if they are not comfortable with it. We teach our children not to allow people to touch them without their permission, yet we make them hug and kiss people they don’t want to. This sends mixed messages to your child.
Janine Kelly, MSW, LCSW, RPT, CATP, ADHD-CCSP, CCATP-CA is a Registered Play Therapist, Certified EMDR Therapist, and Perinatal Mental Health Therapist in Middlesex, NJ. Janine specializes in childhood anxiety, childhood OCD, childhood trauma, and supporting children who experience neurodivergence such as ADHD and Autism. She also specializes in pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders such as anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, depression, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
*This blog is not a substitute for therapy. To schedule an appointment, please click below.
