Christmas is a time to relax, of gift giving, and sharing meals with family and friends. Despite Christmas being a relaxing break from work and other things that people usually do daily, the reality is that this is also a season where people feel hectic and stressed, more especially on sensitive kids.
To help them, here are five ways on how to support your child this coming Christmas.
Learn to know the signs when your child is tired or stressed.
One thing to know on how to support your child especially this coming Christmas and the holidays is to observe them. Know the signs when they are tired and stressed.
That is because most children will show certain actions and cues when they feel this way. Observe your child if they show signs like these and step in to offer them support early to prevent them having a meltdown and help them to regulate their feelings and arousal levels.
Aside from these, one way on how to support your child is to allow them to have and bring their headphones, toys and blankets, and fidgets. This is to make sure that your child has access to their comfort items.
Educate your extended family about your child's needs ahead of time.
As Christmas is the season that usually brings families together to share meals and spend time together, it is only expected that most of those family members are not aware of your child's specific needs, not to mention the things that trigger them.
Knowing how to support your child is knowing the importance of educating your family members about your child's specific needs, and making suggestions where they can help and support you as a family.
Allow your child to have a secure base during family gatherings and other social events.
When stressed and anxious, children find comfort to places and people that they feel safe with.
With this, you can know how to support your child by allowing them to have a secure base, or a comfort space during family gatherings and other social events until they feel comfortable to explore their new place on their own.
Allow them to use you as their secure base to help them be confident to explore the place they are in and the people that they are with.
Help your child with their feelings.
All young children when they feel unsafe and stressed seek support from people that they are comfortable and are safe with.
For infants and young children, you can hold and soothe them, while for older children, you can assure them verbally, tell them that their feelings are valid, and help them in solving their problems.
Also, you must manage your own emotional needs to be the calm refuge that your child needs.
Try to stick to a routine on Christmas.
Christmas is a big change when it comes to children's daily and weekly routine. Almost everything is different during this time and this can be emotionally challenging mainly for sensitive children.
To support your child, try to keep some of your usual routines during Christmas day and prepare them ahead of time about some of the changes that they can expect in their usual routine.
