ESCAPE Family Resource Center Parenting Tips Avoiding Holiday Stress

Transcription

1 ESCAPE Family Resource Center Parenting Tips Avoiding Holiday Stress Holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and peace with However, we might be stressed and overwhelmed with all the activities and obligations during the holiday season. Here are some tips for you and your children to relax and enjoy the holidays. Infants: 0-12 months Keep realistic expectations. Don t expect a perfect holiday. Be flexible and ready for changes. Plan ahead for the holiday schedule. Avoid overscheduling and over-stimulation by having too many activities and visiting by Try to make sure your baby has a chance to calm down and have a pleasant quiet Schedule meals and snacks at regular times. Keep meals to a time period baby can handle. Offer healthy snacks. Avoid using holiday food in order to comfort your baby. Reading holiday season books to the baby with messages about sharing and If you are planning to have outdoor activities or traveling, consider whether or not it is safe, age-appropriate and weather-appropriate to bring your baby. It may be better to secure a good babysitter to ensure that your baby is in a safe environment. Toddlers: 1-2 years old Keep realistic expectations. Don t expect a perfect holiday. Be flexible and ready for changes. Plan ahead for the holiday schedule. Avoid overscheduling and over-stimulation by having too many activities and visiting by Try to make sure your toddler has a chance to calm down and have a pleasant quiet Schedule meals and snacks at regular times. Keep meals to a time period toddler can handle. Offer healthy snacks. Avoid using holiday food in order to comfort the toddler. Reading holiday season books to the toddler with messages about sharing and Do not pressure your toddler to perform in front of family and relatives if he/she

2 Do not force your toddler to hug, kiss, and sit on laps of family and relatives when he /she are uncomfortable. Preschoolers: 3-5 years old Try to make sure your preschool child has a chance to calm down and have a pleasant quiet Schedule meals and snacks at regular times. Keep meals to a time period a preschool child can handle. Offer healthy snacks. Avoid using holiday food in order to comfort the preschool child. Reading holiday season books to the toddler with messages about sharing and Do not pressure your preschool child to perform in front of family and relatives if he/she Do not force your preschool child to hug, kiss, and sit on laps of family and relatives when he /she are uncomfortable. Have your preschool child to help you. For example, picking up toys at home, preparing food for holiday party, look for an item in a store, etc. Be sure to praise your child for being responsible and

3 School age children: 6-8 years old Try to make sure your school age child has a chance to calm down and have a pleasant quiet Schedule meals and snacks at regular times. Keep meals to a time period a school age child can handle. Offer healthy snacks. Avoid using holiday food in order to comfort the school age child. Reading holiday season books to the child with messages about sharing and Do not pressure your child to perform in front of family and relatives if he/she Do not force your school age child to hug, kiss, and sit on laps of family and relatives when he /she are uncomfortable. Have your child to help you. For example, preparing food for holiday party, look Set a budget before you go holiday food and gift shopping. Discuss with your child to pick out one item that they want instead of making a long wish list. Help your child to make gifts for School age children: 9-12 years old

4 Try to make sure your child has a chance to calm down and have a pleasant quiet Schedule meals and snacks at regular times. Keep meals to a time period your child can handle. Offer healthy snacks. Avoid using holiday food in order to comfort your child. Watching movies or reading with your child with messages about sharing and Do not pressure your child to perform in front of family and relatives if he/she Do not force your child to hug and kiss family and relatives when he /she are uncomfortable. Have your child to help you. For example, preparing food for holiday party, look Set a budget before you go holiday food and gift shopping. Discuss with your child to pick out one item that they want instead of making a long wish list. Help your child to make gifts for Adolescents: 13 and up Keep realistic expectations and share with your teen. Don t expect a perfect Plan ahead for the holiday schedule together with your teen. Avoid Try to make sure your teen has a chance to calm down and have a pleasant quiet Schedule meals and snacks at regular times. Keep meals to a time period your teen can handle. Offer healthy snacks. Avoid using holiday food in order to comfort your teen. Watching movies or reading with your teen with messages about sharing and

5 Do not pressure your teen to perform in front of family and relatives if he/she Do not force your teen to hug and kiss family and relatives when he /she are uncomfortable. Have your teen to help you. For example, preparing food for holiday party, look Set a budget before you go holiday food and gift shopping. Discuss with your teen to pick out one item that they want instead of making a long wish list. Have your teen to prepare gifts for If you bring your teen along when you participate in holiday activities or traveling, make sure the environment is safe and appropriate for your teen. Teach stress management skills to your teen by modeling relax and staying calm.