Managing Holiday Excitement

There are few things as exciting for children as holidays. Here's how you can manage their excitement without dampening their spirits, and without losing out on the fun and festivities yourself.


There are few things as exciting for children as holidays, summer or winter, and winter holidays come with a charm of their own. . Here's how you can manage their excitement without dampening their spirits, and without losing out on the fun and festivities yourself.



1. Keep your child's routine stable. Just because they are on holiday should not mean that they can wake up at noon, lunch at tea time and so on. Bedtime, naptime, mealtimes and all other regular activities should be maintained as far as possible. You could let them sleep in for around half an hour to one hour more in the mornings, but no later. Routines maintain stability in their behaviour and helps contain some excitement.



2. Avoid extra snacks, cookies and candies. The rush and fall of sugar in a child's diet can cause both bursts of energy and fatigue as the sugar wears off. These highs and lows can lead to behaviour difficulties. If you want to give your child a treat, limit the size and consider offering it as a special dessert - after an appropriate meal.


3. If you take your child on shopping trips, limit the amount of time you are out and consider taking the stroller or allowing for breaks. Often, parents in India don't use strollers at all, tending to carry very small children in their arms, and making older children walk besides them. Not surprisingly, children start feeling cranky after a short while. Although you may think kids have more energy than you, they really do tire quickly from walking about a shopping mall. Take your children with you on a stroller, and you will be pleasantly surprised at their patience. Also, consider going out early in the day, before the stores get busy and crowded. Being in a noisy crowded space can be very overwhelming for young children.


4. Think safety. Use non-flammable and non-breakable decorations for your Christmas tree, or other decorations. With young children in the home, you may consider a special room for festivities with a door that can be closed to prevent the child from wandering in.


5. If you are out of town with other couples and their children, keep all their toys in one room, and let that be the play room, so they only need mess up that one room, and not the entire house.