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Surviving the Holiday School Break
As the holiday season approaches, parents are bracing themselves for two long weeks of childcare without any reprieve from their children’s incessant demands for “screen time.” But fear not, dear readers! Fox News has got you covered with some expert advice to get through this grueling ordeal.
First off, it’s essential to remember that holidays are meant to be enjoyable, but they don’t have to be a recipe for disaster. Meg Wallace, a mother of seven, shares her experience: “It’s just crazy. It’s everybody’s voices and everybody’s thoughts and there’s so much joy, but it can be a bit much, you know?” San Antonio-based mom-of-seven adds that while some might argue that the holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in sugar highs, later bedtimes, and a lack of routine, she urges parents to maintain some semblance of structure amidst the chaos. “We have to remember to try to keep some semblance of routine for our kids during the holiday season,” agrees Tom Kersting, a family therapist.
Now, while it’s understandable that parents might feel pressure to make the most of their children’s vacation from school, Kersting emphasizes the importance of setting realistic expectations. “We have to remember not overdoing it.” For Wallace and her brood, the solution lies in involving the kids in activity planning. “We have this like dream list where everybody kind of writes down, I want to do ice skating, I want to make hot chocolate,” she explains.
In an era where screens seem to dominate our lives, excessive screen time can have severe consequences for your little ones. According to the Mayo Clinic, it contributes to obesity, sleep disturbances, and eye strain. Kersting highlights that “kids almost don’t know how to be bored nowadays because they’re always stimulated by a device of some sort.” So, instead of setting strict limits on digital media use, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends considering the quality of interactions with digital media, rather than just the quantity.
As we navigate the minefield of managing our own emotions during this time, Wallace stresses that it’s crucial to recognize when anger takes over. “I think as moms, it’s important to remember anger is always the byproduct of something else, some other need not being met.” To counteract this, Kersting suggests adopting an attitude of gratitude: instead of viewing the holiday season as a survival test, see it as a refreshing break.
Lastly, it’s crucial for parents to prioritize self-care during these trying times. As Wallace astutely puts it, “it really is about connecting with those that you love.”
Source: www.foxnews.com
