However, the holidays don’t come without a lot of stress, busy schedules, disrupted routines, and lots of temporary lifestyle changes. 

This can wreak havoc on anyone – especially kids. 

It is important for parents to recognize and address holiday stress that may impact their children and take steps to reduce it as much as possible. 

How Holiday Stress Impacts Kids

Many parents struggle during the holidays, trying to live up to unrealistic expectations. Movies, television, commercials, and retailers all lead us to believe that holidays are perfectly flawless and easy. This makes many parents stressed, feeling as though they are failing. 

Just as parents have these visions, kids do too — and this can cause stress and anxiety in kids due to unrealistic expectations. Of course, this is in addition to the disruption that comes with traveling or hosting out-of-town guests, changes in routines, and the like.

Signs that holiday stress may be impacting your child include:

• Increased irritability 
• Emotional outbursts
• Difficulty falling (and staying) asleep
• Headaches
• Stomach aches
• Withdrawn behavior
• Clingy

Stress can affect kids in different ways so keep an eye out for changes in your child’s behavior. 

Steps to Reduce Holiday Stress in Children

Being proactive and taking steps to reduce holiday stress in your kids is a great idea — but how do you do it? Put these following steps into practice and invite peace and calm into your holiday season. 

Maintain Routines

Kids are creatures of habit and they rely on structure. They get very used to the everyday routines that they have. During the holidays, these routines change. Things like school breaks, traveling, or a calendar full of social events can make it hard to keep a regular sleep/eat schedule, for instance. 

Being out of school, it is not uncommon for kids to stay up later and sleep later. Meals can often get missed because of the busyness. So, as much as possible, do what you can to maintain these routines. 

Provide Healthy Foods

Not only do meals get missed or delayed, but the holiday season seems to bring on entirely different eating habits. On any given day throughout the rest of the year, you likely do not have a wide array of cookies and cakes sitting around your kitchen. During the holidays, this happens regularly. 

Unfortunately, too many kids find themselves eating more junk food and unhealthy, quick fast food or processed meals on the go — and not enough good, nourishing foods. 

Be intentional about the food your children are eating. While you should expect the treats, get some wholesome, nourishing foods into their diet as well. 

Get Some Exercise

You will find many kids in front of televisions, computers, tablets, and gaming consoles during their time off. It is their free time and something they enjoy. And, if we are being honest, it makes things easier for stressed-out parents. 

However, too much time like this is not healthy at all. 

Get your kids outside to play— go for a walk, visit the park, schedule play dates, etc. Just get some exercise and movement in each day. 

Allow Down Time

While sitting in front of the T.V. and video games all day is not a good idea, making sure to have some downtime is important. The holidays can be busy. If you find that you and your kids are spending all day on the run or at social functions, allow some quiet time. There is a good chance you all need it. 

This can allow everyone time to just relax and breathe, feeling refreshed and ready to go again soon. Getting the perfect balance of activity and rest can lead to the healthiest, happiest holiday season. 

Need a Pediatrician Over the Holidays?

At Advocare Haddon Pediatric Group, we know that kids can need their pediatrician anytime – day or night. And that includes holidays, too. Whether your child is ill or you have an urgent concern that needs to be addressed immediately, we are here for you. 

Contact us at (856) 547-7300.