Christmas can be a wonderful time of year but also a stressful confusing time of year for our children. For children who are more comfortable with routine, everything is changing. Consider the following if Christmas feels stressful:
- Stay at home – prepare relatives for different expectations
- Spread visits over a longer time
- Allow your child to leave the room
- Make time to go outside
- Minimise the build up to Christmas
- Maintain routine
- Only put up decorations just before Christmas
- Avoid flashing lights
- Don’t wrap presents individually
- Don’t wrap presents at all
- Put batteries in in advance
- Share out presents over a few days
- Give permission to open presents elsewhere – e.g. away from the giver – thank you cards can be sent afterwards
- Choose food so it’s easy to prepare and comfortable for everyone to eat
