The holiday season is magical for children, filled with excitement and anticipation. But all the festive activity can sometimes feel overwhelming, leaving little ones tired or emotionally off-balance. It can also be a time of sadness for those who may not receive as much as their friends. As parents and caregivers, we can help children thrive during the holidays by encouraging emotional expression, providing restful moments, and introducing self-care practices tailored to their needs.
Here’s how to support your children’s well-being during this busy time.
1. Helping Kids Express Their Feelings
Children may feel joy, anxiety, or even frustration during the holidays, but they often lack the tools to articulate their emotions. Creating space for emotional expression can help them process these feelings.
Open Conversations: Ask open-ended questions like, “What are you feeling excited about?” or “Is there anything making you feel nervous?”
Name the Feelings: Help younger children identify emotions by labeling them—“It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed” or “You seem happy about this!”
Journaling for Kids: Encourage older children to write or draw in the Exploring My Emotions Journal, which provides prompts to help them explore and express their emotions.
Try This: Set aside a quiet moment each day for your child to talk, draw, or write about their feelings.
2. Balancing Holiday Excitement with Rest
The whirlwind of holiday activities can be overstimulating for kids. Balancing high-energy events with downtime helps them recharge.
Schedule Quiet Time: Create intentional breaks between busy activities for kids to rest or engage in low-key play.
Stick to Routines: Try to maintain consistent bedtimes and meal times, even with holiday disruptions. Familiar routines can help children feel secure.
Mindful Moments: Encourage short relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing or listening to calming music.
Try This: Dedicate one day as a “holiday rest day,” where the family stays home to relax, watch movies, or enjoy cozy activities. Parents can participate in journaling with the Trauma Affirmations Journal for Adults.
3. Simple Self-Care Activities from the Exploring My Emotions Journal
The Exploring My Emotions Journal offers age-appropriate prompts and activities to help children reflect on their feelings.
Emotion Check-Ins: Prompts like “What made you smile today?” or “What is something that made you feel frustrated?” help children identify and process emotions.
Creative Expression: Activities like coloring or doodling pages provide a calming outlet for self-expression.
Gratitude Practices: Writing or drawing about things they’re thankful for can help kids focus on the positive aspects of the season.
Try This: Incorporate journaling or creative time into your child’s bedtime routine to help them wind down. We have a Trauma Affirmations Journal for Teens and Tweens to support their emotional journey.
4. Holiday-themed Arts, Crafts, and Quiet Time Activities
Creative activities can be both engaging and soothing for children. Here are a few holiday-themed ideas:
Decorate Ornaments: Let kids paint or decorate ornaments for the tree.
Holiday Cards: Encourage them to create handmade cards for friends and family.
Calm Craft Kits: Provide coloring books, playdough, or easy crafting kits for quiet play.
Storytime with a Twist: Read holiday-themed books or let children make up their own festive stories.
Try This: Create a holiday craft station with materials like paper, markers, stickers, and glitter so kids can enjoy independent play. Healing Hearts for Kids, Poetry, Reflection, and Art Journal is perfect for children's creativity to shine.
Final Thoughts
The holidays are a special time for children, but they can also present challenges for their emotional balance and energy levels. By fostering open communication, building in rest, and incorporating creative self-care activities, you can help your child enjoy the season in a way that feels both joyful and manageable.
If you want more inspiration, please incorporate the Exploring My Emotions Journal. This tool is designed to help kids navigate their feelings with fun and age-appropriate prompts that encourage mindfulness and reflection.
Let’s help our kids embrace the magic this holiday season while nurturing their emotional well-being. It’s a gift they’ll carry with them long after the holidays are over.
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Stay mindful and take care,
Tamera Foley, Ph.D.
Mending Minds and Healing Hearts
Education 4 All Now LLC
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