I knew it would happen. Last night, our kids asked to stay up late to watch Home Alone. After putting up the Christmas tree, I felt all aglow with nostalgia and wanted to extend the moment. So, I said yes, knowing full well what the next school morning would bring. And here we were at 6:30 a.m. with two kids refusing to get out of bed. I brought this on myself, and I would do it all over again.
For most families, the holidays shake up our regular routines. We stay up late watching holiday movies, eat sugar cookies for afternoon snacks, and tuck kids into car seats instead of beds after baths to look at Christmas lights. Sometimes, this setup can lead to Naughty List behavior. Use these 3 ideas to keep the jingle in your holiday routines for kids by steering yours toward the Nice List.
1. Embrace your child’s energy by letting him play freely.
Holiday routines for kids often include special events, family gatherings, and seasonal changes in sleep and eating schedules. This upheaval can lead to behavioral issues as kids struggle to adapt to the new normal. One way to help children make good choices and manage their emotions is to ensure they have plenty of opportunities for free play. Unstructured playtime allows children to burn off excess energy, process the day, and regain a sense of control.
When your kid gives off rowdy and rambunctious vibes, redirect his energy toward free play and get his body moving. Send him on a Christmas scavenger hunt, hide mini candy canes around the house for him to find, or crank up the holiday classics for a dance party. Even 20 to 30 minutes of uninterrupted play can work wonders for your child’s mood and behavior. By prioritizing these play breaks, you’re giving your child the tools he needs to navigate the excitement and potential stress of the holiday season with greater ease.
2. Create space for heart-to-heart connections.Â
Hustling and bustling from one thing to another leaves less room for focused attention with our kids. And children won’t explicitly tell us they need it either. Instead, they might communicate their needs with increased clinginess, deliberate misbehavior to receive negative attention, regression, or becoming overly emotional. It’s not just the sugar talking, either. Young children need to feel tethered to our hearts. (We need that, too!)
If your child is acting out, it might be a sign he needs more one-on-one time with you. Schedule some intentional moments to connect. Curl up on the couch with hot chocolate and read together. Make
crafts or sweet treats. Or swap some laughs with fun Christmas jokes for kids. These small moments ground your child, create a sense of calm, and help prevent meltdowns.
3. When out shopping together, make a plan that includes breaks.
Holiday shopping can be overwhelming for kids, with bright lights, loud music, and crowded stores. Hey, it can be overwhelming for moms, too! In an ideal situation, choose a time and day when you’re both well-rested, and your stomachs aren’t growling. Set (and talk about) expectations for your shopping trip, including where you’re going, what you’re looking for, and how your child can be your helper.
If your child starts to show early signs of a meltdown, find a quiet spot where you can both take a break. Head to your car to share a snack, listen to quiet music, or read a book together. Or take advantage of a greenspace or indoor playground at the mall and let your kid be a kid.
These short breaks can help prevent meltdowns for you both, so let your child know when and why you need a break, too. According to Sarah Clark, a research scientist from the University of Michigan, “The holiday season may be a time for parents to model good mental health hygiene by verbalizing how they recognize and try to relieve stress. This approach is an invitation for children to share their own feelings of stress and a reminder to take action when their stress is elevated.”
How do you help your family navigate the changes in behavior that holiday routines for kids can often stir up?
