Power Moms Unite

Bake the cookies, wrap the gifts, (or finish the holiday shopping), deliver the teacher gifts, visit with relatives, race to church services, entertain children. The holidays can be so stressful. All the regular schedules are thrown to the wind. Most children and adults enjoy the change in routine for the first couple of days of winter break, but as dietary, bedtime, and daily routines are disrupted over many days, the “crankies” set in, no matter how many rare entertainments are thrown into the day.

To avoid the “holiday crankies” try to get back to your families’ meal and bedtime routine. Limit sugary sweets to avoid the sugar highs and lows that can contribute to irritability. If fudge and gingerbread cookies are required holiday fare, insist your children eat them with a big glass of milk or after a protein rich meal. Protein helps moderate the effects of high concentrations of sugar.

Eat a small meal or snack near the same times your family usually feasts. This can be challenging around family reunions. Pack a cheese sandwich or other protein laddened snack in your purse, if no protein rich hors’d oerves will be readily available. Feed your child at their usual meal time. They might not eat as much at the official meal time but they will be much happier. (Remind the grandparents that happy children are better than cranky children.)

When attending a family gathering, prep your kids with what to expect, who will be there, what the menu might include, and most importantly, what behavior you expect from them. If the event promises to be particularly challenging, encourage great behavior with a fun activity on the back end of the event. Plan ahead on how long you plan to stay at the event, set the expectation with your host as well as with your family- leave happy, before meltdown can begin.

Daily routine disruptions can also make kids (and adults) cranky. Changing things up is refreshing for a little while but after too many routine disruptions, human beings crave balance and familarity. In the lull between holidays, when days are not as packed with events, collaborate with your family on a daily plan, include expectations for behavior and try to get to regular meal and bedtime routines and times. Setting expectations limit the crankies and leave you with happy kids.