Parent Holiday Survival Guide (Part 3)

By: Dr. Maria Fowlks 

The holiday season is upon us. And let’s be honest, the holidays can be quite stressful and exhausting! They can be demanding and overwhelming for the whole family. And feeling like you need to do everything to give your kids an amazing holiday can make it even worse. For you and them. Especially when they are displaying challenging behaviors and you start to feel resentful because they seem ungrateful. It is important to remember this time of year is not just stressful and exhausting for you, it is for your children too. Whether it is tests, finals, parties, school performances, extracurricular activities, family visiting, or all of the above, it is a LOT for them. It is a lot for ALL of you.

So try and remember this when your child is giving you an attitude, throwing a fit, wants to stay in their room, or displaying any challenging behavior. These behaviors are likely their way of communicating they are overwhelmed, over stimulated, or tired and in need of a break. And don’t forget about you, when you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, becoming irritable or short with your family members, take a break. Try to model for your family that the holidays should not be about being stressed and overwhelmed. You don’t have to do every trending holiday activity or event. Pick a few, or none. Make family traditions simple, and let them be about who you are as family and what you enjoy, and not what everyone else is doing. Remind yourself of this as many times as you need. Take a moment to look at your beautiful family. Enjoy them this holiday season. Have fun, be playful, and let the small things (or big things that no one cares about anyway) go. Happy Holidays! May this be the best one yet!

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About Dr. Fowlks: 
I work with a diverse array of individuals including children, adolescents, adults and families, as well as offer parent support. I enjoy helping individuals become more understanding, accepting and compassionate with themselves and those they love. It brings me tremendous joy working alongside my clients supporting, guiding, and rooting them on as they brave the challenges life can bring. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to: ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Behavioral Issues, Developmental Disorders, Family Conflict, Life Transitions, Racial Identity, Relationship Issues, and Women's Issues. 

For more information about Dr. Fowlks please check out her longer bio here!