In this holiday episode, Janet shares ideas on encouraging young children to feel included in festivities, including gift giving and managing routine changes. She discusses setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care for parents, and offers tips for managing children's behavior during holiday events. She also delves into holiday traditions, introducing Santa Claus to toddlers, and creating lasting holiday memories.
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Quick takeaways
During the holiday season, it's important to consider our children's perspective and plan events according to their rhythms and needs to prevent overstimulation and meltdowns.
When talking to toddlers about Santa Claus, it's best to frame him as a magical mythical character, balancing the festivities with the true meaning of Christmas and involving toddlers in holiday activities to foster their sense of participation and ownership.
Deep dives
Managing Children's Behavior During the Holidays
During the holiday season, it's important to consider our children's perspective. Young children are particularly sensitive to excitement, disruption of routines, and overstimulation. We need to take it easy ourselves and set boundaries to prevent stress and avoid rattling our children. Planning events according to our children's rhythms and needs and having an exit strategy in place can help prevent meltdowns. Prepare our children for activities and events by providing details and be aware of the buildup of excitement. Early signs of trouble indicate that our children need to be removed from the situation. Designating a holiday nap or quiet time for the whole family can also be helpful.
Talking to Toddlers About Santa Claus
When talking to toddlers about Santa Claus, it's best to frame him as a magical mythical character. Emphasize that Santa is a fantasy and not a real person who invades their home. Engaging in storytelling and reading books about Santa can help toddlers understand the concept. It's essential to balance the Santa festivities with the true meaning of Christmas, such as emphasizing Jesus' birth for Christian families. Involving toddlers in holiday activities like placing money in charity tins and making ornaments fosters their active participation and sense of ownership. Additionally, keeping holiday celebrations simple and focusing on quality time and attention can make the holiday experience more meaningful for toddlers.
Making Lasting Holiday Memories
Creating lasting holiday memories involves embracing the spontaneous and cherished moments that happen with our children. Instead of focusing on creating traditions or forcing memories, we can appreciate the unexpected joy that children bring during the holiday season. Sharing personal childhood experiences and reliving them with our own families can foster a sense of connection and warmth. Great expectations can be managed by using books and detailed descriptions to prepare toddlers for new experiences. Encouraging their active involvement, keeping the holiday celebrations simple, and prioritizing quality time with loved ones are keys to making meaningful holiday memories.
No matter how we spend our holidays, we all hope to make the most of them. In this first-ever holiday episode of Unruffled, Janet offers ideas for encouraging even our youngest children to feel a part of the festivities, and perhaps be the ones to create family traditions. Janet's suggestions include thoughts on gift giving, how to frame the story of Santa Claus without "lying," and what we can do to help our little ones manage the changes in routine and overstimulation.
Learn more about Janet's "No Bad Kids Master Course" at: NoBadKidsCourse.com.