Overcoming Holiday Anxiety in Children

            As a
parent, you must first evaluate where you are emotionally at this time of the
year.  Many parents feel overwhelmed by
the multiple commitments that they have made. 
Certainly, all of this preoccupation with shopping, cooking and planning
for the holidays, may leave less time for your children.  Ironically, this can create more frustration
during a time that is supposed to be joyous.

            The good
news is that there are a number of things that parents can do to prepare
themselves and their children in advance. 
For one, you can involve your child in the process of planning for the
holidays.  Ask your child what they like
and do not like about the family’s usual method of celebration.  Take the time to really listen and validate
their feelings.  Allow your child to
participate in some of the holiday planning.  In addition to taking in some of you’re their suggestions,
you can also begin to teach your child how important it is to compromise. 

            Many
children get easily over-stimulated during holiday time.  It is extremely important to create as much
structure as possible, even in the midst of a chaotic schedule.  Children may benefit from knowing the
schedule ahead of time.  Whether you are
going shopping with your child, to a family gathering or on a day trip, try to
keep as much consistency as possible.

            Shopping
trips, for example, can be made easier, with a few simple preparations.  To begin with, shopping trips should be
time-limited.  It is difficult for many
children to shop for more than one hour without a break.  Perhaps, you can treat the child to ice cream,
as a reward, in between shopping trips. 
Make sure that you set the rules and expectations prior to the shopping
trip.  Token rewards can come a long
way.  Parents should plan what they need
to buy, as much as possible, ahead of time. 
In setting clear behavioral expectations for your child, prior to the
shopping trip, it is also important to set consequences beforehand. 

            Although
schedules may be busy, parents should not underestimate the importance of kids
getting adequate sleep.  Sleep is
essential for both physical health and for mental health.  If you do notice that your child appears more
irritable, consider the possibility that he or she has not been getting enough
sleep.   You can start by trying to keep
very similar bedtime hours as you do during non-holiday times.  A child will benefit from some quiet time
during the day and especially at night, right before bed.  Perhaps, having the child take a bath, read a
book or listen to some quiet music can be soothing.  If you feel that your child is overwhelmed
from all of the day’s activities, you can also try to soothe your child by
having a conversation with him or her. 
Acknowledge all of the things that he or she did during the day that
were positive.  Allow children to express
their feelings without being judgmental.

           
       In addition
to creating as much structure as possible, it is also helpful to practice some
of the communication and social skills that are at the forefront of holiday
time.  Children, who struggle socially,
may find the idea of having to greet and talk to multiple people, during
holiday time, to be overwhelming. 
Parents can practice these skills with their children by using puppets
or role-playing.  Make this fun and think
of it as a wonderful bonding opportunity. 

        Some of the specific social skills to practice would be how to greet
others, how to make simple conversation and how to ask for space, when they
need it. You may want to address other possible social scenarios.  For example, if your child does not like a
certain food, but is asked to eat it, how can they give an appropriate
response.  These skills will empower your
child and ease some of the anxiety. 
           

      Remember that being around a lot of people, especially seeing new faces,
is not easy for many children, as it is not easy for many adults.  Once you have practiced these skills, make
sure to ask your child which of the strategies they used, at the end of the day.  Always provide the child with positive
reinforcement for the small steps that he or she took. Continue to practice these
skills, so that the child can begin to internalize them.