Conquering the Holidays with Little Ones🎄

Holidays are such a joyful time, but can easily become overwhelming. There are fun gifts, extra sweets, and a break from school/work! With all of this going on things can get a little crazy, especially with little ones added to the mix! The holidays are an incredibly stimulating time for them, but with a few tips and tricks it can be magical without having you lose any hair! 

For most families, there will be a point when the kids get overtired and cranky, or greedy about presents, or wouldrather play a video game than talk to Grandma. Here are some tips to keep kids happy and ready to enjoy whatever the season brings.

Gifts:

Getting presents is a high point of the holidays for any kid, but they shouldn’t be the only focus. As adults we know that giving presents can be just as rewarding as getting them, and we shouldn’t wait to teach that lesson to our children. If able, one of my favorite things to do is sponsor a child for Christmas, or donate gifts to a local church to disperse. I find it so fulfilling to give back, and it is the perfect activity to teach a great lesson to your kids! 

Another idea is having the kids make gift, or help you pick out something. Some of my best holiday memories are of helping my father look for the perfect gift for Mom, or combing the mall to look for presents with my siblings as we got older. In my home, we always made ornaments! 

Let Them Help Out:

There’s a lot of extra work to do around the holidays- putting up decorations, cooking big dinners, throwing parties. The Martha Stewart in all of us can take over, but it’s important to take a step back and make sure our kids are included, too.

Children can help set the table, decorate the house, and wrap presents. If they’re too young to wrap, they can help by holding down the paper or getting the tape ready. And at holiday time, the preparations are often as fun and as meaningful as the end product. 

Keep Routines:

We love the holidays because they give us a break from the everyday, but that can also make them stressful, especially for kids who find routine comforting. Try to keep some things constant. Kids might still need nap time/quiet time, they still need special attention from you, and they still need a chance to unwind beforebedtime.

Take a Deep Breath:

At the end of the day, we all know the holidays can get crazy. And you're kids are still going to want to be kids. Embrace it. 

A few tips are to not schedule more than one demanding event in a day, and make sure to include physical activity and plenty of downtime. Your kids will be grateful — and so will you.

Thanks so much for reading, 

Kate