It’s the most wonderful time of the year… sometimes! The holiday season can be full of joy but can also bring stress and big emotions. Consider these three tips to help make this a truly wonderful time of year.   

1. ROUTINES AND REST 

Kids thrive on routines. They need to know what to expect and what is expected of them. When they’re out of school for a couple weeks, routines often fade away.  

Try to keep routines consistent when you can. This might mean: 

• Keeping the same bedtime 
• Honoring meal and snack times 
• Having a consistent morning or evening schedule 

Don’t forget to build time for rest! The holidays can often leave us overwhelmed. Rest is essential to our mental health. Put rest on the schedule as an important part of your daily routine.  

2. PLAY AND CONNECTION 

Make connection with children a priority. The holidays are often a very busy season, rushing from one activity to the next. This can leave us with minimal quality time with children. Schedule blocks of time that are solely dedicated to connection – reading together, playing a game or working on a puzzle. Letting the child know when the scheduled connection time frees you up from the constant cries of, “I’m bored!” and, “Can you play with me?” 

 3. GIVING AND GRATITUDE 

The holidays are a perfect opportunity to remind children about the spirit of giving. Whether in the selecting of tangible gifts together, donations of toys or money, or through actions such as sending holiday cards or baking treats for a neighbor, emphasizing the importance of giving is a great mood booster. And don’t forget about the power of gratitude! Simple gratitude practices such as naming three things you’re grateful for or writing simple thank you notes can have a profound impact on a child’s mental health.  

This season, small moments of care and connection can go a long way.