By Aimee Zeitz Regional Director of Quality Family Engagement
Christine Cole, Early Childhood Mental Health Clinical Supervisor
YMCA Childcare Resource Service
The holidays are considered the happiest time of the year for most, but they can also be the busiest and most stressful times! We have compiled five ways to help your family navigate the stress of the holidays in a positive and impactful way by using protective factors.
Slow down
Protective Factor Used: Caregiver Resilience
Be attuned to how you and your family are experiencing the holidays, communicate about what you may need, and set boundaries as necessary to maintain your own and your family’s well-being.
Keep routines
Protective Factor Used: Knowledge of Child Development
In the excitement of holidays, we often adjust our schedules for parties and get-togethers. We can also lose sight of our typical routines and become lax around things that create structure for our days. Though we do this to enjoy the time off, it can actually create more stress. For our kids, the unpredictability and changes in sleep/ eating schedules can lead to increased behaviors. We need our regular routines to help us feel safe and comfortable.
Low sensory activities
Protective Factor Used: Knowledge of Child Development
During the holidays, we add fun decorations, play music and often get together with larger crowds. This can be overstimulating for our brains and bodies. We don’t have to ditch decorations and fun, but it’s important to intentionally plan down time for low sensory activities to let our brain and body regulate.
Creating traditions as a family
Protective Factor Used: Social Connections
Traditions are what we make them. At times, we have had past negative experiences with ‘typical’ traditions. It can be hard to know which activities are triggering and stressful versus which are exciting. Rather than ditching all the typical traditions and starting fresh, come together as a family (given and chosen) to think of things you enjoy. This may come up with entirely new traditions or just tweaking the old ones to be a better fit for your family. Consider socially distant activities such as checking out holiday lights/ decorations, holiday movie nights, acts of service to others (note of appreciation to neighbors or notes of inspiration on cars in a parking lot), making new recipes together, holiday hikes, etc.
Virtual Gatherings
Protective Factor Used: Social Connections
Maybe you aren’t traveling this year, but you can still connect with loved ones. Consider organizing zoom celebrations and virtual holiday parties.
To learn more about Protective Factors, read STRENGTHENING FAMILIES: A GUIDE TO PROTECTIVE FACTORS.
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