The Stork's Holiday Tips

All in the Family

How to Survive the Holidays with Extended Family

1.  Open communication is key!  Think about how you want your holiday to be before Great Aunt Milly makes plans FOR your family.  Include your partner and children (if they are older) as to what they would like.  Come to an agreement with your immediate family and stick to it, so everyone has the holiday they want.

2.  Be clear with extended family members as to what your plans are.  If Aunt Molly, Uncle Joe, Cousins Kelly, Jim, Brian, Tom, Ed, Mary and Linda want to come to your house for the grand holiday celebration to see your baby and toddler, let them know that you are planning on celebrating on a smaller scale, but would love to plan a visit at another time.

3.  Ask for help!  If you are planning on hosting a holiday meal or family party, take those generous offers of bringing a dish or drink to share with the crowd.

4.  Remain flexible!  If all your plans don’t happen, don’t fret!  It can sometimes be a nice surprise to drive around and look at the decorated houses with hot chocolate rather than rushing home to get the kids to bed after a long day of family time.  Often it is these times when memories are made, and those that especially children remember.

5.  Have fun and enjoy the holiday.  If you are stressed that you haven’t baked enough kinds of cookies, or you haven’t gotten Grandma her Hanukkah gift, your mood will rub off on your household!  It will get done, even if it’s a little late, I assure you that your family will be glad to have you present, happy and in the holiday spirit!

Over the River and Through the Woods…

How to Keep Your Sanity During Holiday Travel with Your Tots

1.  Tell your child exactly where you are going and how you will get there.  It will take some of the uncertainty out of the trip for him.

2.  Get excited – even if you’re bluffing.  The truth is if you’re thrilled to be taking a seven-hour plane ride to Grandma’s, then Junior will be, too.  Remind your tot how lucky he is to be on this adventure!

3.  Be realistic.  Do you really need four sippy cups, seven stuffed animals and three pairs of shoes for baby?  The less you bring, the lighter the load you’ll have to pack into the car or pull at the train station or airport.

4.  Make a list and check it twice.  Santa shouldn’t be the only one with a list.  Whether you honor Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other holiday, write down everything you want to accomplish before the travel date arrives.  This can help organize your thoughts and keep you focused. 

5.  Snacks, snacks, snacks!  This is the time to splurge and let little Timmy pack his favorite snacks, even if they’re things you otherwise don’t let him have.  Even better, let Timmy pack them with you so he feels like he’s helped.

6.  Be prepared with games and busy activities.  And remember, the old school games we played as kids are still just as fun as they were back then.  A good game of “I-Spy” or “Name that Tune” is sure to make your family smile while on the road.

7.  And our favorite: story telling.  Sharing family stories is a great way to pass the time whether on the road, waiting in the airport or on the tracks.  Whether your baby is too young to understand or your older kids are listening with peeked interest, story telling is a wonderful way for you and the kids to bring the past into the future.

Sincerely,

From the Stork’s Nest~

Liz & Rebecca

Stork Support, LLC provides home-based counseling and resources during pregnancy, after baby arrives, during the toddler years and beyond.  Stork Support eliminates the need for parents to leave the house with baby in tow or arrange for childcare because we provide licensed, experienced therapists to their doorstep.  Stork Support  was created by Liz Bland, MSW, LSW, C-ACYFSW and Rebecca Colonna, MSW, LSW.  For more information about Stork Support, please visit our updated website at www.storksupport.com and on Facebook.