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Supporting Young Children During the Holidays
The holidays can be a whirlwind of events. Visits to and from relatives, late evening gatherings, and last-minute trips to over-crowded shopping malls are just some of the activities that can throw a young child off-schedule and, ultimately, off balance. Although a certain amount of disruption is inevitable during the holidays, parents can do their best to keep up with basic routines. Babies and toddlers may pick up on the "roller coaster of emotions" experienced by their parents during the holiday season; this emotional upset is often reflected in a young child's behavior. Parents and caregivers who understand this connection between stress and behavior may have an easier time supporting their young children. Rather than focusing only on the behavior, (such as increased irritability, sleep changes, clinginess, etc) they can take a step back and try to figure out what's behind their children's behavior. The season can be physically demanding as well. Caregivers who are already tired from the responsibilities can reach a level of exhaustion preparing for the holidays. Colds, flues and viruses, so common during the winter months, can drain a family's physical health even further. This physical strain may affect a family's overall sense of well-being, creating a cycle of illness and stress. In a hectic holiday season filled with events and obligations, it can become more challenging for parents to recognize and remember their own needs. It is so important that family members engage in activities that nourish their bodies and rejuvenate their spirits. Self-care activities may include: taking naps whenever possible; seeing supportive friends or family; gardening; reading; playing basketball; journaling; taking walks; or going to a baseball game with buddies. Parents and caregivers who support themselves are, ultimately, supporting their families by increasing their capacity to provide loving, nurturing environments for themselves and for their children. For a very young child, the sights and sounds of the holidays can be dizzying, often leading to over-stimulation. Fortunately, the home can be made into a kind of retreat, a place where babies and toddlers can wind down from the frenzied pace of the season and settle in for the evening. Family routines and holiday rituals can become an opportunity for quiet, relaxed family time. A young child can look forward to watching the holiday candles being lit, taking a bath, having a holiday book read, listening to quiet holiday music, kissing a picture of the absent parent, and then drifting off to bed. Parents, too, can see this "nesting" time as an opportunity to break free from daily stress, enjoy special moments with their young children, and refuel for the next day. Parents and caregivers can find balance during the holidays by engaging in self-care, keeping up comforting routines, seeking social or professional support. Like every other day the holidays can be both a challenge and an opportunity for enormous emotional growth. Copyright 2011 ZERO TO THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families |
