7 Ways to Survive the Holidays with Kids
Getting through the past 10 months has been a marathon. And things are going to be a bit tougher in the ensuing weeks, as most of the country prepares for significantly colder winter weather, and a long slog till spring.
But here at CircleAround, we reviewed some of the content we've published in this very challenging year to see what tips we could provide to parents looking for help navigating the winter months. What follows is a collection of some of our more helpful stories that can guide you and your partner to oversee a healthy and happy holiday season.
1. Make a 'Pandemic Pod'
If you are extremely careful in your interactions with others, you can safely create a social bubble, as this author notes: "The importance of these small bubbles can really make a positive impact on school-age kids who thrive in that social atmosphere. Let’s face it, elementary school is mostly all about the interactions."2. Create a Block Schedule
Though this author's suggestion — "I decided that the only way we would make it through the months at home together was to create a block schedule to make our days productive and less stressful" — was originally geared to summer, it applies just as well to the holiday season.4. Give Them Little Victories
This author's son is doing his chores and his schoolwork, but playing a lot of video games. "Of course, all that screen time isn’t good for him. But I had to pick my battles. The kid needs a win."5. Mourn the Loss of the Simple Moments
Take a moment, as this author did, to recognize that these are not normal times, and acknowledge the small things that, although essential, have been largely lost to the Covid crisis: "I realized my son would not get the final performance, prom, or the graduation we had planned with pride. I knew my daughter would not get her special eighth-grade dance or a chance to end middle school with any finality."