A message from the Director

Parenting through the Holidays

The constant daily responsibilities of parenting can be stressful enough but adding the hustle and bustle and extra demands of the holidays may cause parents to feel more stressed even under the best circumstances. Parents must attempt to juggle work schedules, make childcare arrangements, plan visits with friends and relatives, decide how to stretch the budget to meet the costs of the festivities as well as plan meal and baked good menus. Additionally, if you don’t live with your child’s other parent your children will be splitting time between parents during the holiday time and this may be particularly stressful for you and your children. It is important to recognize the signs of stress and do what you can to lessen the impact and practice the things that will help you relax and enjoy the season!

Here are some simple tips to keep you healthy and manage the stress according to NSW Department of Community Services:

Set priorities: Learn to say “no” to some things - choose quality over quantity. Your main priority may simply be spending time with your children and enjoying each other’s company.

• Plan ahead: Take charge of your holidays in advance by making lists of things to do and setting aside some time each day for them - nothing creates more stress than last minute shopping and preparations. When you are entertaining your children, one different activity each day will keep them excited.

• Stay in budget: Draw up a budget to make sure you don’t overspend over the festive season. Choose simple, thoughtful or useful gifts over elaborate, expensive surprises - even Santa Claus has limited funds!

• Delegate: You don’t have to do it all yourself - there is only so much time and people generally appreciate the opportunity to help out. If you are having a family get together, it might be a good idea to ask everyone to bring along some food rather than preparing it all yourself.

• Have realistic expectations: If there is tension within your family it is more than likely that this will only escalate during the holiday period. You might consider visiting your relatives separately if they do not get on well or keeping them occupied when together. When arranging the extended or blended family visits be sensitive to your children and make it as easy as possible for your child to enjoy time with both parents. Listen to your children if he or she wants to talk about it.

• Look after yourself: To take care of others you need to first take care of yourself. A healthy diet, regular exercise, learning to relax and getting enough sleep will also help to reduce stress.

• Exercise: Research shows that exercising several times a week (even just a walk) can reduce stress and tension and improve your mood. Include the children and make it a family practice.

• Deep breathing: Spend five to ten minutes several times a day practicing the art of deep breathing. It helps raise your energy levels.

• Positive attitude: Try to think positive thoughts. Your thoughts influence your feelings - if you dwell on unhappy thoughts, you start to feel unhappy. Your attitude can be transferred to others and this is not helpful with children at home. When making New Year’s resolutions, think positively about what you can really achieve. Unrealistic goals can cause disappointment.

• Talk to others: If you are feeling stressed it can help to speak with people who can understand the position you are in, such as friends or family members.

• Laughter: Nothing reduces stress as quickly or as effectively as a good laugh!

(www.community.nsw.gov.au)

If you would like more information about this or other parenting topics, call KARE at 456-8995