The holidays can be the most fun time of the year—enjoying the magic of the season through the eyes of your children, teaching them about the meaning of the holidays, and passing on traditions from generation to generation. It’s very exciting, especially for the little ones. The holidays can also bring some added stress, for parents and kids. Not to worry—we’ve come up with a list of 7 things that you can do to make the holidays a little more peaceful for you and enjoyable for your family.

  1. Involve the kids! Have them help you cook & bake or wrap some presents.
  2. Make some new holiday traditions. Keep the ones you loved growing up but maybe add some new fun ones for your kids to cherish. For example, get matching PJs for everyone or a specific treat that becomes your holiday breakfast staple.
  3. Don’t overextend yourselves! If you know your kids need to go to bed on schedule but are invited to a holiday party past their bedtime, don’t be afraid to leave early or skip it altogether.
  4. Planning is your best friend. Make your to-do lists and shopping lists early so you stay on track and don’t have to scramble at the last minute to find what you need.
  5. Plan for the picky eaters. If you have a picky eater, make sure that at mealtime there are at least one or two foods you know they like. Making sure that they have at least one or two familiar items will hopefully reduce any new-food anxiety.
  6. Ask for help if you need it! Ask for your guests to bring side dishes or desserts, or ask for some help watching your kids while you run errands. A stress-free parent equals stress-free kiddos!
  7. Get into the holiday spirit! Have your kids help decorate, or cuddle up and watch a festive movie. Read them a good book before bed that helps them understand the holidays and why they’re so exciting.

Most importantly, remember to have fun and make memories together!

 

Resources:
https://www.childrenscolorado.org/conditions-and-advice/parenting/parenting-articles/manage-holiday-stress/https://www.reidhealth.org/blog/good-nutrition-for-picky-eaters-during-the-holidays

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