Holiday Misbehavior

Holiday parties and family gatherings can be overstimulating and disruptive to a child's routine! Their behavior may show this stress by their acting out - throwing temper tantrums, whining, or withdrawing. Being around unfamiliar family even grandparents, cousins, and friends, can create anxious moments for even the most compliant kid. So what is a parent to do when a child just doesn't know how to behave during the family holiday gatherings? Well it certainly helps if you’ve prepared your child BEFORE the event. You do this by telling them what is going to happen, what foods will be served, who will be there. And talk with them about what behavior you expect from them while at the event. Be sure that you have spent time training your child in basic good manners before you take them into social settings.Teach them what to do when someone speaks to them. All children from 2 on up can learn how to greet another person by saying hello. Or to shake hands and certainly to smile. If your child becomes disruptive or unmanageable, excuse yourself from the party. Don’t ruin everyone else’s good time. There will be other events to enjoy with your kids and this way you have been kind and respectful to others. And your child learns that misbehavior won’t be rewarded.  

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