Most people think of stress as a bad thing — those physical and mental sensations that occur when we’re too busy, overwhelmed or can’t handle one more thing. The truth is that many things cause stress, and not all of them are bad. Stress is a physiological reaction to an environmental condition. Weddings, births and new jobs are all exciting, but they cause stress. Holidays cause stress, too. Thankfully, there are ways we can minimize holiday stress so we can relax and enjoy the season.
Time Management
Schedule changes are particularly stressful for many children with disabilities. And we all know that when they’re stressed, we’re stressed. So, keep their schedule the same as much as possible. When they vary (like when school is closed), consider how to make the day seem more routine. Perhaps you treat it like a typical weekend day or give your child “work” to do during typical school times.
When your schedule requires changes, plan your time to avoid long lines and crowds. For example, you may choose to visit Santa in the morning on a weekday when fewer people are around.
Take Breaks
Let’s face it. Holidays aren’t just stressful for our kids. They can be stressful for parents, too. Make sure you both have a safe place to take a break when needed. Whether you’re overworked or your child is overstimulated, having a safe place to sit quietly and briefly escape can be just the break we need to reset and rejoin the festivities.
Keep it Simple
While family traditions can be a lot of fun, trying to do too much in a short time while also meeting your children’s needs can be overwhelming. There’s nothing wrong with keeping it simple and giving yourself a little grace. Don’t have time to cook? Make just one or two family favorites, then order the rest elsewhere. Don’t have time to wrap all those presents? Use gift bags. In fact, gift bags are a great tool to involve your child in the gift-wrapping process, and they’re also more accessible for your child to open.
Plan Ahead
Ultimately, the goal is to enjoy the holidays, your family traditions, and that special time with friends and family without any more stress than what is absolutely necessary. Planning can help. Talk with your child about things that will be different (routines, meals, holiday lights, music, crowds, etc.). Talk about how those may make them feel and what they can do if they begin to feel uncomfortable. Plan how long you will stay at a party or go shopping. That may mean more trips out, but that can often be less stressful than one long trip with a meltdown in the middle. Finally, take a look at your calendar and share it with your child if that’s appropriate. Make sure to include time to relax, take care of yourself and just “be” with your family.
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