Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ach year you tell yourself that this year the holidays will be different: I will have presents bought and wrapped early. I will not stay up past midnight to finish my holiday baking. I will not overeat, overspend, and become so overtired that the holidays pass by in a blur of activity. Yeah, right! So, how do you juggle holiday activities when you are already too busy? Before your head begins to swim with everything you want to do, take a few minutes to make a holiday action plan. Set aside days on your December calendar for shopping, baking, gift wrapping, and family time. Here are some tips to help make the holidays more manageable. Spend time with people instead of things during the holidays. Having fun making cookies is more important than beautiful cookies. Children remember the time you spend together, not how nice the decorations look.
Spread holiday fun over several days so all the excitement doesnt get to be too much for your children. Do not expect children to be happy all of the time. They may feel upset by the changes in routine or the stress and frustration of their parents. Remember, the needs of your children remain the same regardless of the holiday. Try to keep routines as close to normal as possible. Involve other family members in holiday preparations. Are you interested in more information about reducing stress and helping to keep your children healthy? Check out the Family Guide website created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): http://family.samhsa. gov. For holiday stress reliever ideas, enter holiday stress in the search box.
References
Galinsky, E., & David, J. (1988). Dear Ones Care. The Preschool Years: Family Strategies That Work. Ohio State University Extension. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (December 2006). Managing Holiday Stress. Family Guide. Accessed April 9, 2010, at http://family. samhsa.gov/be/holidaystress.aspx. Van Horn, J. E. (November 2002). Make Holiday Times Special Times. Family Time, Work Time. Accessed April 9, 2010, at http://betterkidcare. psu.edu/FTWT/ftwt0211Nov.pdf.
Happy Holidays!
Sources:
Joyce Murphy, Early Childhood Educator. Melinda Hill, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences. Author: Rose Fisher Merkowitz, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences/Community Development, Highland County. Revised by: Betsy DeMatteo, Extension Program CoordinatorFamily and Consumer Sciences, Hamilton County. Edited by: Rose Fisher Merkowitz, Extension EducatorFamily and Consumer Sciences, Highland County. Kathy L. Jelley, Extension EducatorFamily and Consumer Sciences, Brown County. Scott Scheer, Professor and Extension SpecialistHuman and Community Resource Development and 4-H Youth Development, The Ohio State University.
Visit Ohio State University Extensions web site Ohioline at: http://ohioline.osu.edu
Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all research and related educational programs are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status. This statement is in accordance with United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA. Keith L. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, Ohio State University Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868 Copyright 2010, The Ohio State University