Page 28 - December Banner 2018_Neat

Page 28 December 2018
C atoctin
K IDs
by Anita DiGregory
“Home for the Holidays”
Snow, twinkling lights, Christmas
music playing on the radio. Just like
that, the holidays are upon us. I love
this time of year! But it can also be
a very stressful season, especially
for moms and dads. The struggle to
meet regular schedules and family
needs doesn’t take a holiday; instead,
parents must find time for cleaning,
prepping, baking, traveling, finding
the perfect gifts, attending and hosting
parties, and taking part in festivities.
While children may sail happily
through the season with visions of
sugarplums dancing in their heads,
parents instead have the countdown
time clock ticking loudly in their
heads. (Imagine the movie Speed;
replace the bus with the family SUV.).
Okay, maybe it’s not quite that bad,
but with financial strains, extended
family friction, crowds, lines, and
holiday shopping, it isn’t always the
scene painted in T’was the Night
Before Christmas, either.
According to The New York Post,
this holiday anxiety is termed “festive
stress.” Citing a study commissioned
by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry
Council, 31 percent of Americans
classify the season as frantic, with
49 percent of moms suffering stress
to create an exceptional holiday
experience, and 6 in 10 moms finding
it hard to take the time to enjoy the
season.
Quality family time may be the
cure for “festive stress.” According
to the research studies, spending
The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
even enjoy taking some of their own
For kids and parents alike money to the store to purchase a gift
for donation. By encouraging them
to think of others, children learn
compassion and empathy, virtues that
are extremely important, especially in
today’s world.
Make a visit. The holidays can
be a very lonely time for many. Take
the kids to visit a local hospital, an
elderly neighbor, or a retirement
home. Sing carols, play a board
time together reduces stress levels. It personalized items delivered with game, or just chat. Just having a
also builds self-confidence, creates love. visitor can bring some Christmas joy
strong bonds, and nurtures a healthy and brighten someone’s day.
lifestyle. Read together. Get a warm
Below are some ideas that may blanket, some hot chocolate, and Get outside. Studies show
help de-stress the season and enable cuddle together as you enter a new that physical activity helps reduce
you to slow down and enjoy the little land or visit a different time period anxiety and stress. Bundle up and
blessings all around you. in your favorite holiday storybook. take a holiday walk and look for
Family read-alouds are not only fun, Christmas decorations. Go for a hike,
Bake together. Cookies, fruit they can foster a love for reading that or, if possible, go play in the snow
cakes, pies, or whatever your family can last a lifetime. Choose a classic together.
favorites may be, some of the most like A Christmas Carol, Dr. Suess’s
delicious memories come from baking How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or Help someone. Talk to your
with mom and dad. Family baking an old family favorite. kids about the importance of helping
is not only fun, it can be educational others in need. Shovel a neighbor’s
and informative, teaching children Have a movie night. Light a sidewalk. Help an older relative
concepts such as measuring, nutrition, fire, pop some popcorn, and settle in decorate their home.
food handling, and safety. together to enjoy a family favorite
holiday movie. Reflect together. Talk to your
Create greeting cards. Get children about the true meaning
out the scissors, glue, stickers, Take a drive. With Christmas of the season. Many churches host
construction paper, and even pictures right around the corner, many homes special holiday events, such as live
or text from last year’s recycled and businesses are decorated with nativities or Christmas concerts
cards. Many kids love to get messy lights. Put on some holiday music or pageants. Take time to pray
and be creative, and this project and take a family drive to explore the together and celebrate special holiday
can be both. Plus, making cards sights and sounds of the season. traditions.
helps with reading and spelling.
Grandparents, neighbors, and friends Teach a lesson. Often, This season, like most, will be
will be delighted to receive these Christmas can be a time of the gone in the blink of an eye. By
priceless, handmade masterpieces. “gimmies.” Take the opportunity to counting our blessings and spending
teach your children the joy of giving. quality time with our children, we
Make and deliver gifts. Help them collect some of their own can create memories and instill
This doesn’t have to be costly. toys and clothes to donate to others. virtues that will last a lifetime.
Many sites, such as Pinterest, have Many churches or businesses offer Taking time to breathe, remembering
fun and inexpensive gift-making opportunities to sponsor families in what is really important, and
ideas. Whether it be jars with hot need or to collect for the homeless or celebrating the true reason for the
cocoa fixings, homemade candles, Toys for Tots. Talk to your children season will turn any Scrooge’s “ba
or tins filled with candies or about the importance of giving and humbugs” into a “Merry Christmas,
cookies, everyone will enjoy these helping others. Perhaps they may one and all!”
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