CPC offers some tips for families on reducing stress among children (please note: these tips work all year through for managing stress)
- Maintain boundaries between grown-up stress and children: Please protect your children’s innocence and allow them to remain children (even if you are parenting teenagers). Young people do not have the coping skills, enough life experience, or the intellectual ability to understand money worries, adult relationship issues or their parent’s unhappiness (no matter how mature we feel our children are).
- Prioritize holiday activities and avoid over-scheduling: Do not take on too many tasks, activities, or events. Allowing for some downtime is critical for positive mental health. Keeping routines as regular as possible and discuss plans in advance with your children so they know what to expect.
- Keep an eye on your child’s sleep schedule: Work to assure that your children are obtaining an adequate amount of sleep overall. One or two late nights will not make or break their stress levels and ability to handle stress. However, it will add up quickly so be careful not to skimp on rest and relaxation too often.
- Keep a calm demeanor: Since children often model what they see, you may want to check the mirror if your children appear especially stressed. Some sound ways to reduce your own holiday stress are to avoid overspending, be realistic about what you can accomplish and what needs to be let go, and to get the rest you need too!
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