5 days Ago
CHRISTMAS can be magical. But with all the fun comes festive frenzy. Toddler tantrums, family squabbles, monitoring screen times and bedtimes and trying to juggle the school holidays with working from home - it can be a tough time for parents.
Christmas can be exciting for young children but can easily become a little overwhelming. There’s much more going on than usual, from different food and activities to more people in the house. That’s a lot for them to deal with and could lead to over-excitement or tantrums.
Tantrums are how toddlers let us know they are overwhelmed, that they can’t manage something or they don’t understand what’s happening. It’s normal for you to feel frustrated if your toddler is behaving like this. But reacting angrily can make things worse, so try to stop, take a breath and react calmly.
The NSPCC’s website includes a section on dealing with toddler tantrums. Parenting is more difficult if you’re stressed, tired or anxious. The parental mental health page on the NSPCC website includes tips to help you cope.
Balancing work and childcare can be difficult. Even with the best planning, unexpected things happen. It’s normal to feel pulled in different directions but there are ways to manage.
Try setting clear boundaries to help you feel productive, creating a simple schedule so your child knows what to expect, or having a few distractions ready, like toys or arts and crafts. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, you’re not alone in feeling this way. Speak to friends and family about what works for them.
The NSPCC’s guide to working from home contains more ideas on how to mix work and home life and is on our website. With everyone spending more time together and the stress of the season, it’s natural for tensions to be high, it’s common for families to experience more arguments during the holidays. Try to stay calm, communicate openly and make sure everyone gets personal space.
If you’re feeling frustrated, try counting to 10 and taking deep breaths before responding. Again, there are tips and resources on the NSPCC website for managing arguments. Christmas is a time for families and friends getting together, but some young people might feel lonely for a number of reasons, including not feeling connected to others or missing their schoolfriends.
Reassure them that loneliness doesn’t last forever, or work together to find ways to feel less lonely. Our befriending service, Building Connections, helps children and young people struggling with loneliness. Christmas can be overwhelming if you struggle with mental health.
Focus on small manageable tasks, like making a to-do list. Try coping strategies like mindfulness, taking a break or talking to someone. Reach for support from friends, family, or organisations like Mind or Samaritans.
Call our Helpline on 0808 8005000..
