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Quotes about the Holidays and assoicated Stress in the blog post about Stress-free Holidays for Kids by Mommyshravmusings

5 recommended tips to make holidays stress-free for Kids

Holidays are a great time to bond with the family and make good memories. No one can deny the fact that it’s during these holidays only we get to meet extended family and friends after a long time, and there would be numerous parties to be attended. So everyone looks forward to the next holiday season. But a small percentage of families dread the holidays due to the additional demands these holidays would put on their kids. The holiday season can become a balancing act of walking on a thin rope, balancing their kid’s needs, family, and social demands. This blog discusses a few used and tried tips to make the holidays stress-free for those kids.

Why are Holidays Stressful for Kids?

Meeting the extended family is the number one stressor for some introverted kids. For some other kids with a sensory processing disorder, the crowded rooms, the smell, decor, food, and anything could cause them to topple over their balance.

Quotes about the Holidays and assoicated Stress in the blog post about Stress-free Holidays for Kids by Mommyshravmusings

Even otherwise, the normal routines would always be disrupted during holidays. Kids generally thrive with routines, and any disturbance to these routines will become stressful to the kids. Coupled with that, the high intake of sweets, colas, and fast foods will cause some stress in the kids, resulting in stomachaches or body pains. The bedtimes could go wacky, and the kids might have to share their bed with visiting cousins and friends. This would add additional stress to them.

Kids are also observant lot, and they pick up cues from parents. They pick up from our stress and tiredness as we stretch ourselves to make the picture perfect or Instagrammable festive decorations and feasts. We should also restrain ourselves from spreading ourselves thin and prepare to make more time for family bonding and connections.

All the different holiday traditions during Diwali, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukka can cause as much distress to the kids as they are supposed to bring joy and sparkles to them. Especially in the post-pandemic world, kids are experiencing social anxiety, getting stressed over the rituals, and missing the near or dear ones they lost during the pandemic.

Quotes about the Holidays and assoicated Stress in the blog post about Stress-free Holidays for Kids by Mommyshravmusings

Last but not least, the excessive commitments and burdens imposed on the kids by family and friends can also cause severe stress in them. The casual rhyme of “Being Naughty or Nice” can cause meltdowns in them. The pressure of acting nice and all dressed up and performing in front of friends and family would add a lot of pressure on their little minds.

So, this blog provides a few tried and tested results in identifying and managing holiday stress or anxiety in kids.

How to Identify the Holiday Stress/Anxiety Symptoms in Kids?

As every child is unique, so would his/her ways of managing their stress and anxiety. But, the common behaviors, when seen in the kids, we can easily identify that they are the triggers for the holiday stress and anxiety meltdowns.

  1. Irritability and clinginess to parents
  2. Continuous anger outbursts
  3. Excessive usage of gadgets or books (in some cases) as a means of avoidance
  4. Not interested in taking part in any activities or isolating themselves from the festivities
  5. Excessive fears or meltdowns
  6. Reporting other physical problems, like stomachaches, ear pains, headaches, dizziness, and body pains

So, the parents must remember the above symptoms and start providing coping mechanisms or tips to have stress-free holidays with the kids.

Coping Strategies for holiday stress and anxieties

My son gets stressed out during every Diwali season due to the loud noises from crackers. The cheerful and outgoing ever, active boy would turn into a scary cat during this Diwali season every year. So, here are a few tips and coping strategies that we use with my boy, and I am sharing the top 5 among them.

1. Accept their feelings:

The First and foremost thing, as a parent, we need to understand and accept is the kid’s feelings and anxieties are very much their own and can’t be hidden or taken for granted as they are not our own. Once the child understands that we are able to accept their anxieties and fears with an open mind and are there for them to support them through this phase, then the child will be willing to travel the path of overcoming them. So start having a candid discussion to understand their feelings about the forthcoming holidays with open-ended questions.

Ex: Instead of asking, ” Are you anxious about the holidays?” try asking, “What do you think of forthcoming holidays?”

Provide the child the time and options to open up about their feelings and discuss them with us.

2. Role Play:

As an adult, we might have a lot of suggestions for the kids to come out of their stress and anxiety. But their minds will not be in a position to think rationally, and hence we can see the meltdowns instead of actions from those kids. Hence, role-playing ahead would always provide the tools and seeds the kids can use to chew upon and reflect on before the event happens. This activity is one of the best tools that we can provide our kids to come out of tricky situations, as it reinforces the concepts to come out of anxieties and fears every time we do the roleplay. I had seen it work with my boy as well.

Ex: You wear your child’s hat, enact his anxieties and fears, and let the child wear the parent or supportive adult hat in this role play. My kid and I always interchange our roles whenever I have to get some point across to him.

3. Offer them Choices

Instead of forcing every small thing on them, give some control to the kids. By giving them control of the not-so-important things, you would provide comfort to the child that he is also part of the festivals and traditions. But you need to set up expectations about the important rituals that the kids have to attend irrespective of their state of mind and that they don’t have a choice. That way, they would be prepared upfront as to which are the things that they can’t avoid and be better prepared than ourselves.

Ex: What to wear, what to eat, how to calm himself down, how to decorate the house, etc.

As a word of caution, don’t make everything a small thing but an important part of the festival rituals. As you know about the child, try to use the shortcuts or cut some unnecessary rituals to provide comfort to the kids. Instead of skipping everything with a wailing kid, it would be more fun and meaningful to attend one or two most important rituals with a happy kid, isn’t it?

Quotes about the Holidays and assoicated Stress in the blog post about Stress-free Holidays for Kids by Mommyshravmusings

4. Try to maintain the routine and schedules

Even during busy festivals and holidays, try to maintain routines as much as possible. Especially the sleep time and the food timings. Lack of sleep and food are the foremost triggers for most meltdowns in kids. So when we can keep an eye on them and follow them, at least half the meltdowns can be avoided, and we can have stress-free holidays along with kids. Also, provide them multiple breaks with their favorite toys, books, or even gadgets to unwind amidst the festive chaos.

5. Create a Comfort kit

We can involve even the kids in this activity and prepare the comfort kit that they can carry during the holiday season. Having their own comfort kit works as the anchoring point and will make the kids wait for the stress-free holidays with their newfound treasure. I got this idea last year from a fellow blogger and implemented it immediately. So, my child’s comfort kit contains the following:

  1. Noise-canceling headphones
  2. Fidget Spinner
  3. Comfort foods like chocolates and chips
  4. Sensory bottle with snowflakes and glitter
  5. Soothing music or doing some yoga
  6. Some to-do activities to divert their attention like (coloring pages, puzzles, books, and lastly, gadgets to watch movies)
  7. Essential Oils like Lavender and Rosemary reduce stress. So we use them in every room during the holidays and even a drop on his clothes.

After attending the Emotional Intelligence course, my child has learned some breathing techniques, which he is already practicing hard for this Diwali.

Final Thoughts:

Please do remember that holidays come once or twice a year, and it’s easier to convert them into stress-free holidays for kids if we just take some time out and provide them with the required support. If it’s not done and we think that the kids are just acting up and would grow independently out of all those anxieties and fears, then we are setting up the stage for kids to become emotionally scarred for life. If we want to provide our kids with an emotionally healthy childhood, we need to be present fully and provide our support to overcome their anxieties and fears. You can read this article to handle the general anxiety issues in your child.

Suhasini, IP, is the Author of the book “Practical Tips for Kids Mental Health.” As a certified kids and parents life coach, she helps/guides you toward a happy family life for your kids. She firmly believes that “Emotionally Happy Kids of today are the Mentally Strong and Happy Citizens of tomorrow.” Let’s make the world a happy and beautiful place for our kids to thrive.

40 Comments

  1. I am always in the favor of asking open ended questions when it comes to dealing with kids. With pandemic, the definition of holidays fun has also undergone changes. Sometimes, it feels sad to see an social kid getting anxious in a crowd, But we should acknowledge their feelings and handle it with patience.

    Thank you for the backlink.

    1. True, this pandemic has changed a lot and kids are suffering a lot and unfortunately they don’t have the expertise or experience to seek help. We parents have to be observant and help them.

  2. […] which means get-togethers, guests, and holidays. This can also be one of the reasons of their anxiety. As parents we should try to be patient and handle this […]

  3. I love the role play thing. Perhaps when my kids become less excited about holidays, I could tried this with them.

  4. Shy kids do not want to intermingle with every one and as a parent we should understand it and should not force them for anything.
    They might not feel comfortable in a new crowd and that’s Okay , we need to understand their feelings and give them some time 🙂
    Nice and a different kind of post.

  5. We usually see social anxiety in today’s kids. They become anxious when we plan a holiday especially spending time with relatives.
    Yes, we should understand their feelings and act accordingly….because mothers know what they are missing:)

  6. I like the idea of the Comfort Kit. Even the other suggestions are so simple and doable. Stress free kids mean happy parents.

  7. Kids just need lots of attention. You have rightly pointed out the causes why kids make holidays stressful. Your tips are bang on and they really work.

  8. What the kids need the most is quality time and lots of attention. Even a shy kid can cope with social anxiety and all if we, the parents support them. All the points you’ve mentioned here, are perfect and might be followed.

    1. Yeah Shremayee…thats so true, kids want us more than anything

  9. I agree with this post. I will make a note of this post. I am going in December. This post gives me a perspective to think from viewpoint of kids.

  10. Your post came in at the right time I must say. I think it’s time for me to implement your suggestion for my kids.

  11. I get this a lot from friends and family that they are unable to enjoy vacations after having a child. I’d probably share this article next time this pops up

    1. So true…we go overboard sometimes during the holidays and pass on the stress unknowingly to others – especially kids & pets. Time to take a step back and relax and enjoy the festivities. I especially liked your Comfort Kit. ?

      1. Exactly my point Vasu. Thanks for dropping by

  12. I am actually in a time in life where these tips would be perfect. Kids can get over-whelmed quite easily but a little understanding can make all our holidays better 🙂

  13. You have shared some really good tips. Kids are growing up in a completely different type of environment these days. It can become a lot overwhelming for them.

  14. One would think that all kids enjoy holidays but they can be stressful for some. So glad you wrote about this and shared some pointers. I am sure they would be useful for parents.

  15. I often felt that stress whenever we were on our India holiday. It’s difficult to maintain a routine on holidays but it really helps to deal with stress.

    1. Yeah, can understand Abha. Thanks for dropping by

  16. I feel we must carry something with which they feel connected and act as a stress buster. Apart from that we ourselves should be available as per their requirement too.

    1. Yes, very true. Thanks for dropping by

  17. Great and very much needed post. I am not an expert but I think you have correctly mentioned the thoughts which move around a kid’s mind. The kid inside me totally agrees with you.

    1. Thank you Abhisek for dropping by

  18. Thank you for posting your effective ideas to everyone. Anxiety may be inevitable for kids since they are now in an environment that is different before COVID. It’s good that you shared how parents can show their love through your tips.

    Kelly | Author of Kindheart

    1. Thanks a lot Kelly for dropping by. Yes, kids are more stressed these days due to the pandemic.

  19. What an interesting post – and some great tips that are easy to follow and will surely work!

  20. […] Here are some excellent tips for making your holidays a stress-free affair. […]

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