Although the festive period can bring lots of joy and the opportunity for new happy memories to be made, it can also be a challenging time for parents and children.
We have put together ten top tips to support you during this time:
1. Plan for changes
- Talk to your children about any changes to their normal routine both at home and at school or nursery – Christmas plays/ fairs/ visitors etc.
- Be an active listener to support them.
2. Keep Active
Get outside for fresh air and exercise at least once a day.
3. Prepare – ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you always got’ – make the change this year.
- Have a budget and stick to it – being a good role model with money can help your children in their future too.
- Strive for a ‘real’ Christmas and avoid comparing your family to others. Remember Instagram posts rarely show the truth.
4. Don’t say don’t – say do!
Reframe your requests to be positive ones – inside voices, keep your hands to yourself etc.
Make up an activity box to keep your children busy whilst you are busy.
Fill it with a colouring book, favourite toy cars, lego, magazine etc – visit your local charity shop for cheap items.
5. Use Maslow to find the need behind the behaviour
Ask yourself, are they tired or hungry? (avoid too much sugar – keep the advent chocolate to later in the day).
6. Avoid over stimulation
Try to have at least one place in the house that is quiet and calm and not full of Christmas decorations and lights – a tepee with cushions and a blanket can support some children to feel less over stimulated.
7. Help your children to donate old toys to Charity
Encourage your children to donate any old toys they no longer want and encourage them to help others.
8. Stop think act
Stick this on your fridge and model taking a breathe (to your children) before saying or doing the wrong thing!
9. Catch them being good
Focus on the behaviour you want to see more of. Thank them for keeping calm, a low voice, helping with the dishes etc.
10. Use our Conversation Cards
Create new happy memories whilst encouraging turn taking and listening to each other.
You may also be interested in our article on Cheap and easy Christmas presents and tips and strategies for every day during Advent