Feeling the holiday stress creeping in? Between travel, family time, and disrupted routines, this season can be challenging. Here are five tips to help you move through the holidays with more calm and connection.
1. Prioritize Physical Needs (Yours and Your Kids’)
We’ve all had moments where being hungry or overtired makes everything feel harder. During the holidays, routines shift, and basic needs are usually the first things to get lost. Kids often feel this change even more than adults, as small changes more easily disrupt their little bodies. A little planning can go a long way:
- Pack more snacks than you think you’ll need.
- Build downtime into each day to help people reset.
- Bring comfort items, such as fidget toys, stuffed animals, weighted blankets, eye masks, noise machines, or other items to support sleep and sensory needs in unfamiliar environments.
2. Review Schedules Ahead of Time
Knowing what to expect reduces stress for everyone, especially kids who struggle with transitions. A day or two beforehand, talk through what the day will look like, when they need to be ready to leave, planned activities and timing, and who they’ll see at gatherings.
Predictability gives kids a sense of control and helps reduce anxiety and meltdowns.
3. Share Expectations Beforehand
Vacations often feel like “rule-free zones”. Your kids may think (or hope) typical rules go out the window (and some of them might). Clarify expectations in advance to prevent surprises and set a standard. Discuss things like expected behaviors in different settings, limits around screens, sweets, or staying up late, and consequences for not following rules.
Invite their input on:
- What toys/activities do they want to bring on the trip?
- How they prefer to be told about sudden changes.
- Phrases they can use if they need space from a sibling or cousins
4. Plan for the Transition Back to Routine
After several days of late nights and sleeping in, getting back to school can be rough. Set a plan to ease the shift. For example, plan an activity for the morning before school resumes to help them get back on a normal sleep schedule. Have your kids pack their backpacks and pick out clothes the evening before school. Small steps for returning to normalcy help avoid Sunday-night battles and chaotic mornings.
5. Give Yourself Grace
Even with perfect planning, things will go off track. Kids will melt down. Flights will be delayed. Schedules will fall apart.
It’s okay.
Permit yourself to be imperfect. If you lose your cool, use the opportunity to model re-regulating, taking responsibility, and repairing with an apology.
The holidays bring out big feelings for many kids – and adults. But with a few thoughtful steps, you can reduce stress and increase predictability for yourself and your kids. If you need additional support, reach out. We are here to help.
Contact us at info@gordontherapygroup.com