Holiday Mental Health Tips for Parents

Article updated November 21, 2024

Author: Karen McCumiskey, MS, RNC, Perinatal Education Coordinator, Good Samaritan University Hospital

The holidays are exciting and joyful, especially when you have children.However, they can also be a hectic and stressful time for both parents and children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers some tips to help your family relax and enjoy the holiday season: 

1. Try to focus on one thing at a time. Balance the hustle and bustle of shopping, cooking and family gatherings during the holidays. Stop and pay attention to what is happening at the moment. Focus on one thing about it and notice how you are feeling at the time. Don’t judge yourself. Instead, be curious about the experience.

2. Try to keep household routines the same. Stick to your child's usual sleep and mealtime schedules when you can, which may reduce stress and help your family enjoy the holidays.

3. Take care of yourself both mentally and physically. Children and adolescents are affected by the emotional well-being of their parents and caregivers. Coping with stress successfully can help children learn how to handle stress better.

4. Remember that many children and adults experience loss, sadness or isolation during the holidays. It is important to be sensitive to these feelings and ask for help for you, your children, family members or friends if needed.

5. Don't feel pressured to overspend on gifts. Consider making one or two gifts. Help your child make a gift for a parent, grandparent or other important adults and friends. Chances are that those gifts will be the most treasured ones and will teach your child many important lessons.  

6. Give to others by making it an annual holiday tradition to share your time with people who have less than you do. For example, if your child is old enough, encourage them to join you in volunteering to serve a holiday meal at your local food bank or shelter or sing at a local nursing home. Help your older child write a letter to members of the armed forces who can't be home with their own family during the holidays.

7. Most importantly, enjoy the holidays for what they are—time to enjoy with your family. So, be a family, do things together like sledding or playing board games, and spend time visiting with relatives, neighbors and friends.