I had a 15-month-old and was three months pregnant when I came up with the horrible idea to go to a special Christmas event at the local theme park. I was promised twinkling lights, hot cocoa (though it was probably 80 degrees outside), Santa, carols… It seemed like a great idea. It was not. It was past my son’s bedtime, parking was a bear, and the crowds zapped the jolly right out of me.
This is a classic example of how moms lose sight of the practical side of mixing toddlers and Christmas festivities because we so badly want to have a magical experience. Now that my son’s 11, I see that what I hoped would be magical when he was a toddler was just overwhelming for him. Learn from my mistake with these 5 ways you can protect the joy of the season for your toddler (and for yourself).
1. Push the pause button.
We were walking out of a Cracker Barrel a few weeks ago, and the table display near the door showed off a motion-activated Santa. As my tween sons and I waited for my husband to pay the check, Santa’s constant “Ho! Ho! Ho!” had us searching for his off switch. One of my sons said, “I wouldn’t mind if Santa’s batteries ran out.” Those kinds of lights and sounds are all the more stimulating to toddlers, and they don’t know when or how to ask you to flip the switch off.
The Antidote: Stick with your routine as closely as you can. Combining blinking lights and singing elves with a lack of naptime will lead to a Christmas disaster, and the Mayo Clinic shares that different types of sensory input such as smell, taste, touch, sight, sounds, and movement can all contribute to overstimulation. As much as you want to fit more in at Christmas, look for moments in the day when you can turn off the music or TV. Weave in some silence or a calm activity like coloring or reading to help your toddler decompress. We have some really cute Christmas Coloring Pages printables that are perfect for toddlers.
2. Skip the Christmas sugar crash.
I wish that Christmas calories would get a free pass! Gingerbread men, Nana’s fudge, and that second cup of hot cocoa—none of those calories should count, but they do. The same thing goes for toddlers and Christmas treats. If you wouldn’t normally let your little one have five cookies after eating a handful of M&Ms, Christmas isn’t the time to throw your standards out the window. Future you will be grateful that you’re not dealing with a meltdown while in line waiting to see Santa.
The Antidote: This isn’t going to surprise you. The key to avoiding this type of meltdown is moderation. You’re in control. The pediatric department of Dartmouth Health suggests limiting the amount of processed foods you give your toddler, and tell Grandpa the max is two cookies (because you know he wants to sneak your kiddo a third). Have a “treat time” in the days leading up to Christmas. Let your child choose a daily holiday treat (one that’s fun but still in line with what you normally let your child eat) at the same time every day so he has something to look forward to.
3. Protect your toddler’s boundaries.
One of the best parts of the holidays is the way they bring us together with the people we love. You get together with church or neighborhood friends for a gift exchange; you see extended family at Christmas Eve dinner, and you bundle up the kids for the annual tree lighting ceremony downtown. But with all that, your toddler is being jostled, held, and pulled in different directions nonstop for about three weeks. Some kids love all of the attention, while others don’t.
The Antidote: Set boundaries and prepare your toddler. If you’re holding your daughter and your church friend says, “Give her to me for a minute,” don’t be afraid to say no, especially if you have a shy child. Before everyone arrives for a party, pull up pictures on your phone and remind your child who each person is. Remind her what present each brought to her birthday party earlier in the year, and she’ll be eager to see them all walk through the door. If your toddler seems uncomfortable or has that overwhelmed look in her eyes, scoop her up or let her hang out with your husband or someone else she’s close to.
4. Prioritize sleep.
You have many years to create traditions and Christmas joy for your child. Don’t pressure yourself into doing everything in one year. Start small with your toddler’s needs and capabilities in mind and build on those simple, fun memories as they grow. To make the most of the toddlers-and-Christmas fun combo, keep naps part of your child’s daily schedule. Naps are one of the seven things toddlers crave, but they can’t articulate.
The Antidote: So when you get a holiday invite, or you see a Christmas activity you really want to do with your toddler, make sure that it doesn’t interfere with his naptime. If you really can’t imagine missing out on something, double-check to see if you’ll be able to slip away on-site to a place where your toddler can nap.
5. Be prepared.
One of the best ways to prevent a toddler meltdown during the holiday season is to have a game plan in case you see one about to start. Take a look at these six healthy ways to navigate big emotions in toddlers.
The Antidote: Knowing your child and knowing what might set her off gives you the insight you need to act before she melts down. If you see her starting to get agitated, that’s the time to act. Even if she’s next in line to visit Santa, step away and take a few minutes to calm her. If she bounces back, you’re good to go. If not, save Santa for another day.
How can you make Christmas activities easier for your toddler this year?
