The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and anticipation, a time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of a modern family's busy schedule. If you have school aged children, the weeks leading up to the winter break are probably filled with conversations about their desire for a break from school and all the after school activities that consume your lives. It is a welcome and comforting thought to have the winter break to spend some down time as a family resting and gathering strength for the busy year ahead.
You have probably noticed that each holiday seems to ramp up earlier and earlier with each passing year. This year, I found myself having to bargain about waiting until at least the day after thanksgiving before I was willing to put up any lights or the christmas village.
By the time that christmas rolls around, everyone is truly burnt out from a month of holiday preparations, shopping, decorating, wrapping, visiting, eating.. You get the idea. The holidays can be totally overwhelming for even the most seasoned of us, more or less for a small child. For our family, we have the added celebration of our sons birth, just the day after christmas. (he was 16 days late! By the time he came, I didn't care what day it was! He was the best christmas present I could have ever asked for.) Please don't get me wrong, the holidays are a magical time of year that I absolutely relish with my family and wouldn't trade for anything in the world. Though it would be nice to have a few less meltdowns.
So in the spirit of minimizing holiday (or any day) meltdowns and curing the kids holiday hangover, here are a few ideas to bring peace and balance to your children, yourself and your home.
1.) Good Nutrition: It's difficult especially at this time of year, with all the cookies, fudge, chocolate, cakes and sweet breaks piling the countertops, but it' s a great idea to minimize sugar intake. You don't have to completely deny children a sweet treat, but half a cookie may be just as satisfying as a whole one to them, especially if it prevents them from feeling strung out on sugar later on. Also keeping a steady supply of healthy, nutritious snacks available all day will help keep their blood sugar even. Fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, popcorn and other low sugar, wholesome foods can be served in bento boxes or other fun serving trays to make them more enticing.
2.) Get them naked!: A bath always works wonders for calming down a freaking out kid. Try a bubble bath such as California Baby Overtired baby bubble bath (which contains chamomile), or an herbal bath by putting lavender and chamomile flowers, in equal parts, into a mesh bag, tea strainer/ ball ( or a sock if that's all you have) and float it in the bath water, making a bath tea. The herbs are calming and soothing to even the most overtired child.
3.) Tea Time: if you can get them to drink it, you can also make them an herbal tea by combining 1 part chamomile, 2 parts lemon balm, 1 part oat straw and 1 part spearmint. (please note that "1 part" is whatever you make it, depending on how much tea you want to end up with - here you might make it a teaspoon if you are just making a few cups of tea.). Place the herbs in a mesh bag or tea strainer/ ball. Boil the water. Place the mesh bag in cup or mason jar and pour the water over it ( do not boil the herbs as this will destroy any medicinal / beneficial value they have). Cover and let steep for 7- 10 minutes. This tea can be drunk hot or cold. You can add a touch of honey if you like.
4.) Quiet time: Find a time of the day when your child is either at his wits end, or will be receptive to having some quiet time. Turn off the tv, radio, computer and any other distractions. Use that time to read, cuddle, have a snack, talk, go for a walk, or a drive in the car. You know your child best and what would help them to ground out and rest. The goal doesn't have to be sleep, just some down time.
5.)... and now for the opposite advice...: Put them to work!
Give them an important job around the house that contributes to the well-being of the whole family. Even the smallest child wants to feel that their work is important and valued in the family. Give them something attainable such as picking up their toys, sweeping, clearing dishes from the table, picking up trash or recycling or helping to put away holiday decorations ( even if they complain the whole time that they aren't really ready to put away the decorations, and can they just please leave them out until Valentimes Day) :)
These are just a few idews that I hope are helpful. I would love to hear of other ideas that parents have found to work. This parenting thing is always a work in progress!
Happy New Year!
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