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Reducing Holiday Stress |
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The holidays are a time of great joy and excitement for children and their families. But they can also sometimes bring with them the added stress of trying to deliver the best holiday celebration ever. Children's Hospital Boston psychiatrist Stuart Goldman, MD, offers the following tips and advice to help children and parents enjoy healthy, happy holidays.
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Set realistic expectations for holiday shopping and do so well in advance of the day presents will be opened. Parents and children often mistake the best holidays with those in which they give or receive the most presents. Addressing this early helps take the pressure off everyone.
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Add a little structure to your child's school vacation. Plan activities, such as playing board games, going to the movies or sledding outside. Consider scheduling activities the whole family can participate in together.
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Keep children active. The winter brings less daylight, which can lead to more inside time and less physical activity. Try to get outdoors, even if only for a little while.
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Make sure children get plenty of sleep. Holiday time often begets later bedtimes. Make sure you get your child gets back on his regular sleep schedule before going back to school.
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Give children sugary treats in moderation. Excessive sugar is believed by some to cause hyperactivity, irritability and sleeplessness, and it certainly does little good.
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Consider establishing special holiday traditions that children can look forward to year after year. This gives them something to focus on other than presents.
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Be mindful of past events, like the death of a loved one or a divorce in the family, that may resurface around the holidays. Address these changes in advance, explaining that the holidays will be different and that it's okay to express feelings about it.
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Remember, holidays are built on relationships and traditions, both of which require work but are absolutely worth it to ensure that this, and future, holiday seasons will be memorable.
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