Five Counties Children’s Centre is striving to help families ensure their holidays are happy by offering tips to keep spirits bright and stress under wraps this season.
The anxiety and upheaval of extra demands and different routines can make the holidays challenging for parents and children alike, according to a media release from Five Counties, which provides therapy services for children with special needs in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Northumberland,
However, “celebrating the season can still be merry and bright when it’s managed right.”
“The holidays can mean a drastic change in schedules and a lot of disruption to routine — which as any parent will tell you, can impact the rhythm of family life,” Five Counties spokesperson Bill Eekhof told kawarthaNOW.
“There’s also added excitement and anticipation that come with the holidays, especially for kids, given what awaits them under the tree and where or whom they will visit. Parents and caregivers may also feel pressured to ensure their family has an enjoyable holiday season.”
Eekhof added that, while managing the stress of the holidays can be especially challenging for parents and caregivers of children with special needs, it applies to all families.
Nicole Captain, an occupational therapist with Five Counties, has some tips for helping families manage the extra pressure of the holiday season and helping children cope with the excitement, anticipation, and altered routines that come with the holidays.
Tips includes creating a visual schedule or calendar so children can see what is being planned for holiday time (including breaks or downtime), using photos or maps to help prepare children before travelling to visit family or friends for the holidays, and discussing holiday plans as a family to help manage change and expectations and to choose activities that everyone would like to do together.
“Parents and caregivers often feel guilty and pressured to have the picture-perfect holiday that they see on social media or in the movies, but that isn’t always the reality,” Captain said. “The fact is we can still enjoy happy holidays if we keep things simple, stick to structure, go back to basics, and are flexible.”
Captain, who works in school-based rehabilitation services at Five Counties, provides occupational therapy support to students and often discusses self-regulation in her classes.
“I always tell parents to put on your oxygen mask first, to meet your own regulation needs and support your nervous system so that you can support your child’s needs.”
Captain said it’s important to manage the variables that are within control. This including getting enough rest and sticking to sleep schedules, selecting a quiet space where family members can rejuvenate, and eating well and staying well-hydrated.
“It’s really going back to the basics,” Captain noted. “We’re optimizing our bodies on the inside to cope with all the stress and changes that go on outside and around us.”
Another tip is to unplug from technology as much as possible and make meaningful connections by spending time together as a family.
“While being together doesn’t require a lot of preparation, make it quality time to really forge that connection,” Captain said.
According to Captain, too much screen time during the holidays can affect a child’s sleep, behaviour, routine, and anxiety levels. If spending time in front of a screen, do it together as a family, but avoid screen time too close to bedtime as children can get overstimulated and their sleep can be affected.
Another tip is to make sure you spend time outdoors having fun as a family.
“I know going outdoors in the winter months in Canada isn’t something we all like to do, but the importance of sunlight, fresh air, and activity are important for everyone to feel their best,” Captain said.
In choosing outdoor activities to do together, families can be purposeful and organized.
“There’s time to run around in the snow, but planning a scavenger hunt, designing a snow fort, building a snowman, or trying to see how many animals you can spot in 10 minutes can maximize that outdoor experience,” she explained.
If the weather precludes outdoor fun, indoor games are a good alternative. These could include creating an obstacle course, doing a puzzle, or trying out a fun and interactive activity like Cosmic Kids Yoga.
“Pick what works for your family and do what you can,” Captain said, “and happy holidays can be within our reach.”
