With the holiday season approaching, Five Counties Children’s Centre is encouraging parents and caregivers to take proactive steps to reduce stress for themselves and their children.
While the holidays can bring excitement and fun, they also come with busy schedules, high expectations and disruptions to routine-all factors that can make the season feel overwhelming for families.
Occupational Therapist Nicole Captain says adults often underestimate how strongly children react to the emotions and stress levels around them. She explains that when parents can regulate their own nervous systems, they are better able to support their children through moments of overload or uncertainty.
A recent study from Trent University and Lakelands Public Health found that more than half of local parents reported feeling stressed “always” or “often” over the previous six months. Captain says those pressures can intensify as holiday demands increase. The sights, sounds and unpredictability of the festive season can be especially dysregulating for children who rely heavily on structure.
Five Counties is encouraging families to keep things simple, create realistic plans, and prioritize open communication. That includes preparing children for gatherings in advance, setting aside quiet spaces when a break is needed, and not feeling obligated to meet every expectation placed on them during the season.
More resources are available at fivecounties.on.ca/less-stress-for-holidays.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
