While the holiday season is usually a source of joy, for children with stressors and those overcoming traumatic experiences, it can be a cause for distress.
Whether your child is more prone to meltdowns during this season, or they seem upset or sad, here are some practical ideas to help you and your family navigate the holidays with compassion and grace.
Create an Environment for Open Communication
Use this time to better get to know your children and their histories. Ask them how they spent previous holidays — what is important and meaningful to them in this season?
Encourage your kids to talk about their feelings surrounding the holidays and try to find ways to validate their emotions. Lean into whatever sadness, guilt, or confusion they may be feeling in this season.
By focusing on communication, you are creating an opportunity to build trust and connection within you and your child’s relationship, which will benefit you throughout the year to come.
Create Clear & Realistic Expectations
Create an environment of structure and routine throughout the holiday season so your child knows what to expect. Build in time for them to be able to rest and recharge so they do not become burnt out.
Whenever possible, include your child in conversations about your holiday plans so they are prepared for what is ahead, and give them time in advance to get ready. This can mean letting them choose their outfit a few days in advance or discussing what they can expect at each event.
No matter what you have on your holiday calendar, make sure you attend each activity with realistic expectations about what your child can handle in this season — and if you find you’re somewhere and your kid is becoming overstimulated, there’s nothing wrong with leaving early or changing your plans to support them.
Include your Child in the Holiday Activities
Some children in foster care, kinship care, or who have been adopted come from families full of holiday traditions, and others might not have done much during this time of the year. No matter what you choose to do with your family, allow your kids to help decorate and be part of the preparation.
If you take any trips during this time, include them in your travel, and invite them to your family parties. If possible, you can also incorporate a tradition they used to do with their biological family or prepare one of your child’s favorite holiday dishes.
These three tips should help you and your children to have a joyful, meaningful holiday season together as a family.
Christmastime can be a wonderful opportunity for your family to grow together and create lasting memories. This season may not look exactly the same for your family as it has in the past, but we hope it’s still overflowing with joy, laughter, unity, and new traditions.
Key Takeaway
Maintain clear communication with your child during the holidays, and make sure you have reasonable expectations for how the season will go.
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”
Application
In a season filled with reminders of how much God loves us, use mealtime to have discussions about how much you love your children.
Love Beyond Measure makes it easy to have conversations about ways we can show love in our daily lives.
