Christmas Survival Guide for Families!

 Christmas is almost here!

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I don't think you can help (at least in Sydney, Australia) sense the mood and frenzy associated with Christmas.  The shops are buzzing, school children are beginning their holidays, roads are busier and perhaps a few tempers are rising. 

This can be a difficult time of the year for some families.  There are expectations. There is grief.  There is also sillines and craziness in hyperdrive for others.  

I've put together a few tips to help us all (regardless if you have a child with a disability) to survive this Christmas!

1. Realistic meal expectations.
So much about celebrating Christmas is about the food.  This is not helpful for picky eaters or those with dietary restrictions. Have realistic expectations about what your chid will or won't eat.  Make sure that your child has access to "safe" food during Christmas. You could also introduce new foods before Christmas so that they may be willing to taste it. Christmas is not the time to work on increasing a restricted diet.
 
2. Communicate with extended family members. 
It can be difficult if there are family members whom you don't speak with often. Maybe you haven't told them that your child has special needs or is neurodiverse? Maybe you haven't had the need to mention anything and don't feel you have to. That's okay.  However, if you are anticipating that a family member may make a comment or ask an uncomfortable question that may disrupt your Christmas celebration, perhaps a quiet word (or email) before hand to let them know you have things under control could be helpful.

3. Quiet spaces and places. 
Whether you are celebrating in your own home or elsewhere, create a quiet corner where your child (or you) can retreat to if things are becoming overwhelming.  Maybe a quick walk outside into some fresh air and sitting on the front porch may a good spot.  

4. Minimize suprises. 
Some children thrive on routines and knowing when this changes. You could talk through, or draw or print out photographs to represent different things that may happen.  You could create a social story for Christmas Day so the sequence of activities or events are predictable.  You could "introduce" extended family members online or via photographs before Christmas Day.

5.Maintain some routines.
Keeping some regular routines can be helpful for children to have some control over their day. For example, If they always brush their teeth after dinner, then they could still do this with people visiting. 

6. Have options for participating and sitting out of activities.
"Compulsory fun" is never fun for everyone. We are looking forward to "family fun games" this year, however there is also anticipation that not everyone will want to participate.  You could involve the spectators with signs for cheering a team. You could ask someone to be the score or time keeper.  

7. Prepare for potential problems and have a plan if someone is not coping. 
It is impossible to predict all potential problems, however you are your child's expert.  You know what has triggered them in the past and what (or who) may potentially trigger them on Christmas Day.  Perhaps this means that you have seating plan so it is clear where everyone is sitting.  Perhaps you could change the sequence of activities.  You could plan a later arrival or an early departure.  Most importantly is talking to your child before Christmas Day with a plan if something is not going well.  

8. Include sensory accomodations and regulation. 
9. Practice regulation strategies. 
Being aware of your child's sensory needs before Christmas Day will help to guide you before the day.  Are they sensory seeking and need a lot of input before they meet the rest of the family?  Are they avoiders and will they be reluctant to join the group? Is your child sensitive to sensory information from noise or lights?

Use the regulation strategies that are helpful throughout the year in the context of Christmas.  Practice strategies with your child when they are calm.  Provide access to tools such as headphones, fidgets or weighted toys and let them know where they will be kept.

More sensory strategies to come in this article. 

10. Regular check-ins to see how everyone is doing. 
We all want to enjoy the celebration of Christmas. This can mean even in the busyness of preparing a meal or keeping relatives happy, that you check-in with your child (and yourself) to see how they are doing.  Are they becoming excessively silly? Are they sad? Are they overwhelmed?  Are they doing okay? 

By "checking-in" you are continuing to build the connection with your child that they often seek to feel safe and loved. 

The expectations at Christmas of an adult can be very different from the expectations of a child.  The list above is just an example of the many things that are often our minds.  We have tradition and high hopes wrapped up into one day.  This compares to our children who are usually focused on just a few things. 

Realizing the gap in expectations can help us to have more empathy for our children! 
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There is no doubt that Christmas brings sensory overload.  The light displays on our neighbourhood streets seem to be growing.  Music in shopping malls are festive.  More events are happening in the community. 

Here is a list of sensory strategies that you may want to use over this Christmas period. 
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Tactile and Propriocetive Stratgies:
* rip up wrapping paper
* scrunch and throw wrapping paper
* squeeze a soft toy
* pat a pet
* provide comfortable clothing options (or pre-wash clothes so that they are "worn in"

Vestibular Strategies:
* jump on a trampoline
* jog around a yard
* dig up snow or sand (depending whether you are in the northern or southern hemishere)

Visual strategies:
* light a candle
* draw or colour-in
* make a craft

Auditory strategies:
* listen to calming music
* wear headphones

Oral Motor Strategies:
* blow bubbles
* drink water
* drink hot chocolate (cocoa)
* crunch on carrot sticks (like Rudolph)
* provide safe food options
* introduce new foods before Christmas

Environmental Strategies:
* create a quiet place
* visit shops during quiet hours
* provide boundaries for interactions with relatives
* use a timer for time spent with people (vs alone)

I'm hoping that your Christmases are not just about survival but you enjoy this celebration.  Let me know if any of these tips help you through the Christmas period or what else you would add to this list. 

Christmas is my favourite time of the year and I am looking forward (with realistic expectations) to it!  

Thank you for your ongoing support of Your Kids OT! Did you know that Your Kids OT is turning 10 years old in January 2024.  I hope you stick around to celebrate. 

Wishing you a fantastic Chrsitmas and a very Happy New Year!

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a contributing author of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
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