5 Steps to Less-Stress Family Get-Togethers

The holidays are before us and major amounts of visiting and traveling may be in store for you and your children. By taking some key steps along with mental preparation for both you and your children these holiday get-togethers can be less stressful for everyone.

1) Start now coaching your kids on proper behavior: Often we get our kids excited for the family get-togethers by telling them of the good foods, fun events, or great family that will be present at any event, but along with that children need to be coached or reminded on how to behave in a large group setting. By talking about proper behavior leading up to the event, you can save both yourself and your child some embarrassing moments.

a. Food: only take what you can eat; and then eat what you take

b. Playing: be kind to others and treat them the way you want to be treated

c. Making requests: remember to say please and thank you and when denied a request do not throw a fit.

2) Offer to host the event at your home. Some venues are simply not child friendly and by offering to have the event in your home your children will have familiar toys, beds, and treats. This can often lower a child’s stress level which in turn will lower yours as a parent. If you cannot host the event, remember to take age-appropriate toys, foods, and supplies when going to places not accustomed to small children.

3) Prepare for the festivities by making holiday treats or favors and talking about the historical significance behind such things. Last year, my sister-in-law and her children made the cutest little pilgrim hats out of cookies, frosting, marshmallows and candy corns. The children then shared what they had learned while making the treats. Here is a great website with fantastic holiday treat ideas:

a. Thanksgiving Treats--http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/ or http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-kids-table-fun/ or http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/thanksgiving/Thanksgiving_treats_for_classroom_parties.html

b. Christmas Treats--http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-recipes/christmas-cookies-gingerbread/ or http://www.marthastewart.com/275160/easy-holiday-treats-for-kids-to-make or http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/homemade-christmas-gifts/

c. Thanksgiving Party favors: http://www.ehow.com/how_4867457_make-easy-thanksgiving-party-favors.html or http://www.ehow.com/how_4495068_make-squirrel-party-favor-thanksgiving.html or http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-craft-decorations/ or http://familycrafts.about.com/od/thanksgiving/a/Thanksgiving-Crafts.htm

d. Christmas Party Favors: http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/ or http://www.ehow.com/way_5470720_homemade-christmas-party-favors.html or http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/homemade-christmas-gifts/

4) Plan age-appropriate activities for all of the children present: children with unlimited and unstructured time will often get into trouble. By planning games, bringing a new age-appropriate movie, or some holiday themed crafts can help direct the children toward positive play. By taking a few minutes out of every hour to direct play, you can save yourself many interruptions and meltdowns.

5) Plan your parties with your kids in mind: keeping your children on schedule as much as possible will make everyone happier.

a. Plan meals at their usual mealtimes

b. Make time for naps—if possible do not schedule main events during naptime, but if this cannot be avoided, bring along appropriate sleep comforts for your child (blanket, pacifier, toy and a place to sleep)

c. If everyone is having a meltdown, it is time to go…if leaving is not possible, find a quiet place to take a time out with your children until their mood improves or they fall asleep (getting appropriate amounts of rest is critical to keeping family get-togethers less stressed.)

d. Be conscious of others: while you may be able to tune out crying or whining, it can be very disturbing to those around you who do not have little ones. Be prompt in caring for your child’s needs as to minimize the fussy times.

While much of this information is common sense, in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the excitement of seeing family and friends, simple things can be overlooked. By taking a few minutes of intentional planning, your holiday get-togethers can be more fun and less stressed.

5 Tips to make it easier to live, love, and laugh,
Lori