Our children love the holidays. Time off from school, presents and the possibility of spending countless hours gaming or on social media are just some of the common reasons why today’s kids look forward to the winter holidays. Those are all fine, but they are not the best things about the holidays. It’s a parent’s and caregiver’s responsibility to remind our growing children what is the real value of the holidays.
Although every family is different, there are some constants that we can all point to that make us yearn for December as we sometimes struggle through the rest of the year looking forward to the holidays. Here are seven ways to bring those same values to our kids:
1. Start new traditions: Religious families can lean on their practices to celebrate but even those who are not can start their own traditions. Movie night, playing board games or even virtual reality or digital games can bring everyone together so long as the point is being together and enjoying one another. Teach your children how other cultures celebrate the holidays and don’t be afraid to adopt your own version of those practices.
2. Bring stress level down: The holidays are supposed to be times when we let go of stress not add to it. It might be difficult if that package from Amazon is late, or you get stuck in an interminable line at the mall, but remember your kids model their behavior after you. If you get anxious, they will likely follow, so practice letting things slide.
3. Giving thanks: This means more than thanking one another for gifts, it should entail reflection. As you sit around the dinner table take some time to ask every member of the family what they are thankful for over the past year. If you or they are having trouble remembering, Today’s Parent website suggests revisiting their journals or diaries or even taking out your phone or tablet to scroll through pictures of the year and relive happy moments. Green Kid Crafts website suggests creating a Gratitude Tree that writes out everything your kids are grateful for on different handprints on construction paper.
4. Generosity of spirit: Help your children learn to be generous in spirit by setting aside time for the youngest ones to make a gift for a sibling or grandparent. Making someone else happy is something that touches all children. When they learn to get joy from giving, you are opening them up for a lifetime of good feelings. Come up with several ideas with them and then pick the ones that are doable!
5. Serving up good times: Meals are already part of what kids love most of the holidays but bring it to the next level by having them participate in the preparation of holiday meals. If they’re not ready to peel potatoes or whip up some cake batter, take them to the store to help with groceries ahead of the big meal, or have them set the table but take the time to show them how to fold the napkins and put out any holiday decorations.
6. Help them through long days: Five-hour meals and seven-hour shopping trips are hard to take for any child, especially younger kids. So be sure to schedule days with plenty of rest breaks and snacks, while also keeping them active. An article in Child Mind Institute advises, “Don’t schedule more than one demanding event in a day, and make sure to include physical activity and plenty of down time.” As for that long holiday meal, or staying up to midnight, keep the bedtime routing as much as possible, by getting them in their pajamas and maybe even a bath to take them through till midnight. And if they fall asleep, even better. They’ll wake up to great wonder.
7. Get outside and be active: One of the best parts of living in South Florida is that our winters are the best time of year to enjoy the outdoors. While the rest of the country is stuck inside sheltering from the cold, we can go to the park, beach or even front yard and participate in any outdoor activities we want. Take advantage of the lack of heat and humidity to take a walk or just throw down a blanket and have a holiday picnic.