It's time to celebrate Thanksgiving in a few more days, and along with it, the Holiday season sets in. The holiday season is precious, but it might be new and unfamiliar for the young who need help understanding the season.
According to the Sunfield Center, each child is unique in their ways of experiencing the world. And, like adults, kids desire a sense of control over their environment, especially in understanding the expectations of a new situation or a new season. Moreover, it is crucial to note that this need for control and knowing what to expect heightens in children.
The kids will see and feel that different things are happening and that these are out of the ordinary. These can all cause mixed feelings of excitement, curiosity, and even apprehension and anxiousness. Thus, the little ones need to be prepared for the season.
Preparation is the magic word for the holiday season if you have young kids and toddlers.
How to set kids up for success this holiday season?
Dr. David and Amanda Erickson of Flourishing Homes and Families share a few strategies to help parents prepare their little ones for the holidays.
1. Parents need to let the kids know the plan and what the day will look like.
Set the expectations. Tell them about the day's celebration and the entire day's schedule. A rundown of the activities will be much better for the kids not to feel anxious but, instead, excited. For example, parents can say that tomorrow is Thanksgiving day, and here are what the family is going to do - wake up early and eat a special breakfast, go to grandma and grandpa's house to play and have lunch, come home for rest, and then after dinner, the family is going out to see Christmas lights.
2. Parents need to empathize ahead of time.
The activities might be too overwhelming for the kids, so parents can go ahead and inform them that it is okay to refrain from participating in all the activities. Also, for families meeting and seeing other family members for the first time or after a long time, tell the kids that it's okay if they don't know what to say or if they do not feel like talking to them immediately. Let the little ones know there is absolutely no pressure to do something they do not want to do. Give them the time to warm up.
3. It would be better for parents to use visual clues instead of time-bound clues throughout the day.
Tell the kids what they would expect to eat the entire day and where the family is going through visual clues, like saying that the family will be eating cheesecakes, then will be driving to pick up toys, and then going home after. The more they can imagine and see those activities, the better.
4. Parents need to have a plan for common issues.
The holiday season would mean the availability of a lot of food; again, the kids might be too overwhelmed. Thus, parents need to inform them ahead of time that there will be a lot of food that will be served, and there might be foods that they are not used to eating. Comfort them and tell them that they can try and eat what they want and that they need to trust their bodies as they will tell them what they need.
5. Parents need to make their kids feel they are part of the festivities.
The young ones would enjoy and appreciate the holiday season better if invited to help plan and collaborate on the celebrations. Ask for what they want to happen, what they visualize, their suggestions, and their opinions.
6. Parents need to make all plans equal.
Parents are encouraged to have multiple plans to make the day peaceful and successful. It is okay if there are plans that would not happen. Be flexible. Holiday season or not, plans do change when little ones are involved. Keep expectations age-appropriate. If the child does not get a nap, the plans will still work out.
7. Parents should keep their perspective.
The holiday season is precious and wonderful, yet it cannot be denied that it is stressful, especially with the children in tow and part of the plans and celebrations. Make sure to cultivate compassion, empathy, and understanding not only for the young but also for oneself and the entire family.
Most importantly, parents should not forget to see the holiday season in their children's eyes, Family Connections stated.
The joy and meaning of the season will be deeper and fuller as parents set aside their "adult concept" of the celebration and enjoy the festivities in the simple ways their little ones enjoy. It will surely make a difference.
