The holidays are an exciting time and we are so lucky to live in a smallish community that prides itself on its many offerings for family entertainment.
As a parent to young children myself, I know that I can definitely get caught up in the spirit of the holidays.
I also wholeheartedly believe in the importance of taking the time to reflect on our own families, their needs, and what is really important based on our own unique family values. Some children do just fine with changes in routines. For others, a bombardment of extra people, social activities, and high expectations can result in some undesirable behaviors.
How do you do with the holiday excitement? Do you find joy in the activities and find yourself generally happier during December? Do you find yourself stressed out by the high expectations? Do you feel pressure to maintain certain holiday traditions or are you able to let go?
The reason I ask these questions is that children pick up on our emotional cues much more than we think they do. When we exhibit an excessive amount of stress and worry and anxiety, our children internalize (and then externalize) these behaviors. In the preschool crowd, this often manifests itself in extra tiredness, tantrums, irritability, and a general decreased ability to work through problems with their peers.
Of course, this is not to say that we, as parents, should hide all of our negative emotions from children. Being 'perfect' does nothing to support a child's healthy emotional development.
The key is trying to find that magic balance in life. I know this can be easier said than done. Knowing ourselves and our children is a great start. Keep in mind that what works for one family can be very different than what works for another. Give yourself - and your children - permission to breathe.
I hope that everyone has a safe, healthy, happy holiday season - no matter what that may look like for you and yours!
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