Parents may experience their child’s holiday stress and exhaustion while preparing for holiday celebrations like Thanksgiving or Christmas. The holidays can frequently be just as stressful for kids.
Maintain routines
We are aware of the absurdity of the situation. You’re planning meals and cooking, attending parties, meeting Santa, going here and there to shop for gifts, and possibly traveling to be with family (or doing the hosting in your own home). But make an effort to remain somewhat consistent that reduce stress.
Share the burden of proof
The entire family is more likely to be invested in a successful outcome if everyone feels that they have been given a voice and some responsibility for things going well. Therefore, communicate your needs in advance and divide the workload from the initial planning and packing stages through the journey and the actual vacation.
Include downtime in your plan
Schedule some downtime for your child this season, whether it be alone or with the family. A 15 to 30-minute break can help kids recharge and lessen the likelihood of emotional or behavioral issues down the road. Your child can read during this brief window of time. Even they can with friends, or even watch shows on television.
Spending time outside
Including outdoor activities in your family’s vacation can help everyone feel less stressed. If you’re fortunate enough to live somewhere where it snows, you can easily take your kids outside to enjoy snowfall. Outdoor pursuits like sledding and snowman-building are great sources of pleasure. Because they involve hard work and sensory input in addition to being outdoors.
Allow your child to express themselves
Give your kid the go-ahead to talk to you if they need to vent, even if it’s just about how Aunt Maddie keeps pinching their cheeks. Paper and a pen (or crayon) are also helpful. Give your child paper so that he can draw or write about whatever is upsetting, sad, or angry to him.