Buying
presents, attending parties, planning the holiday meal . . . it seems
as if
there is not enough time to get things done during the holidays.
Stress
seems ever present this time of year, as parents and families rush to
get the
necessary things done. But remember, children can get stressed, too.
“Children are a good
barometer of what
is going on around them,” says Dr. Ed Christophersen, behavioral
psychologist at
Children’s Mercy
Hospitals and Clinics. “If
the adults
are calm, they will be calm. If adults are hurried, irritable and
frustrated,
children pick up on that.”
Following is a list of
reasons
children suffer holiday stress:
·
They are often dragged along to crowded, noisy shopping
centers, which
can be confusing. Often, the
pushing and
bickering of overworked, stressed-out adults give children a mixed
message
about the “holiday spirit.”
·
Bombarded with advertising, children can begin to feel deprived
if they
do not have all the toys they hear about.
Comparing their gifts to those of other children can also cause
grief.
·
During the holidays, relatives crowd into one household and
attempt to
enjoy the occasion. However,
they are
not always successful and the holidays can be filled with anxiety and
open
hostility. Even when the
children are
not directly involved, they are quick to pick up on the tension that
adults
display.
·
Sad memories of a loved one can be difficult throughout the
holidays.
To make
the holidays more fulfilling for the whole family, Children’s Mercy has
put
together some tips for reducing holiday stress:
·
Consider doing your holiday shopping without your
children.
·
Spend time with your children baking cookies, reading holiday
books or
making decorations. Separate
activities
into stages: If children get bored with a project, let them walk away.
Return
to it later when the child is interested.
·
Kids are not impressed with you overspending on their
gifts. They have an idea of how much you can
afford. When you overspend, it
makes them
nervous.
·
Remind your children that the spirit of the holiday season has
nothing
to do with the amount of money spent on gifts.
One option is to have them make coupon books that include free
services
like doing dishes, taking out the trash or getting the
mail.
·
When family or friends gather, parents still have to spend time
with
and attention on their children.
Children don’t appreciate that you haven’t seen your relatives or
friends in a long time. The
children
need you. So, plan to spend time
with
them, or don’t bring them on the visit.
·
Try to balance your own expectations for the holidays. There’s no way an over-hyped holiday
can live
up to everyone’s expectations.
·
Make sure your child gets as much exercise as possible
throughout the
holidays. Sitting in front of the
television does not give the child the proper amount of exercise they
need to
function.
Most of all, remember, the holidays are
supposed to
be a happy time of year. By
remembering
these tips, you can help your family have a relaxed and enjoyable
holiday
season.
