The holiday season is soon upon us and it’s a well-known fact that this time of year can be a stressful time for everyone in the family. Aside from the usual holiday shopping and cooking, extra cleaning and the burden of entertaining, there’s also travel, staying with family or friends and taking scheduled kids out of their typical routines. It can all equate to a lot of stress for you and your kids. Here are a few tips to help your family get through the holidays with a little less stress:

• Keep your child’s routine as close to normal as possible. You may have to remind grandparents and cousins that a tired child makes for a crabby child, but keep bedtime and meals as normal as you are able.
• Spend time with your child. If they feel you are ignoring them they will begin to feel stressed out.
• Don’t over-schedule your child. Remember they will need time to play, rest, be quiet and do normal things. Don’t force your toddler to shop all afternoon or your teenager to play with the little cousins all day. Let them do things that are pleasing to them on their own time.
• Reward your child for good behavior. When they are brave about meeting a new person, try a new food or sit patiently while you talk with family, give your child a special treat as a thank you.
• Keep to your bedtime routine. Read stories together, snuggle, bathe—whatever your child is used to doing to help calm them and go to bed should be the norm even on vacation. And don’t forget blankies and stuffed animals!! They should definitely make the trip with you.
• Be patient with your kids. Even when it feels like your child is trying to be annoying or frustrate you, it is most likely because he needs some attention. Don’t take your holiday stress out on your child.
• When you are stressed, frustrated, over-worked and exhausted, don’t take it out on your child. It’s okay for them to know you are overwhelmed, but it is not their fault and they shouldn’t have to pay the consequences. If you need some space or a break, take a few deep breaths and remove yourself from the situation. Set a calm, good, positive example for your child.

Good Luck & Enjoy Your Holiday Season!

Sincerely,

Daddy Locker (aka Mike Locker)

Daddy Locker (aka Mike Locker), father of two, helps parents navigate the ups and downs of parenting through his expert advice.  He covers topics ranging from taking baby out to eat without annoying the other diners, best ways to swaddle baby and how to how to be an involved dad.  Daddy Locker is also the founder of Cozy-Cover, innovative parenting solutions for on-the-go families, and is constantly putting his creative skills to work developing new products to make parents’ lives easier and more convenient.

• Be an attentive partner—now’s the time your partner really needs you. She’s going through a lot, so it’s time to step it up a notch. Spend time catering to her with back rubs and late night trips to the fridge for an extra snack. Attend doctor’s appointments and ultrasounds with her. Take photos of her growing belly, tell her how great she looks and how much you love and admire her. Remember, she is growing a human.

• Help make plans for baby—it doesn’t matter if you like to shop or not, it’s now time to act like you do. This baby will need quite a bit of stuff. Your partner will love having you show interest in the type of stroller and car seat you select, helping to pick out the crib and accessories and putting them together. Take her shopping for baby clothes and other baby necessities. Although you may dread the thought of comparing baby bottle sterilizers, this shows your partner how involved you really are.

• Stay healthy together—exercise during pregnancy is important for many reasons, such as, boosting energy levels, aiding in sleep, preparing body for child birth, helping maintain a healthy pregnancy weight and reducing stress. Exercising as a team will help encourage your partner to get up and go, even when she wants to lie down and sleep (or cry or eat). Take walks together or hit the gym with her.  Although you may not want to hear it, now might be a good time to give up alcohol, too (she’ll only tolerate the “designated driver” joke for awhile).

•  Plan a “Babymoon”—towards the last trimester of the pregnancy (but not the last month), surprise your partner with a little getaway. It doesn’t have to be a big, lavish vacation, just meaningful time away together. It may be the last time you both can take a trip sans child for a long time. Whether it’s a weekend trip to a nearby bed & breakfast or a week by the beach, she’ll appreciate the time away to relax and spend time alone with you.

• Be a great labor partner—when it’s “go time,” make sure you’re actually ready to go. Attend child birth classes with your partner, make sure the car seat is installed properly (check with your local police department or hospital for assistance), make sure the hospital bag is ready to go and be a hands on birth partner. A 12-20 hour labor can seem like eternity, but be thankful you’re not the one in labor! Stay by her side, offer ice chips, back rubs and anything else she may need.

Good Luck!

Sincerely,

Daddy Locker (aka Mike Locker)

Daddy Locker (aka Mike Locker), father of two, helps parents navigate the ups and downs of parenting through his expert advice.  He covers topics ranging from taking baby out to eat without annoying the other diners, best ways to swaddle baby and how to how to be an involved dad.  Daddy Locker is also the founder of Cozy-Cover, innovative parenting solutions for on-the-go families, and is constantly putting his creative skills to work developing new products to make parents’ lives easier and more convenient.