Comments on: Surviving the Holidays With a Child With Anxiety

By: Why I Told My Family to Stay Away this Christmas

Why I Told My Family to Stay Away this Christmas — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 21:24:24 +0000

[…] Surviving the Holidays with a Child with Anxiety | The Chaos and The Clutter […]

By: Questions Special Needs Parents Face During the Holidays - This Outnumbered Mama

Questions Special Needs Parents Face During the Holidays - This Outnumbered Mama — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 07:38:48 +0000

[…] Surviving the Holidays with a Child with Anxiety | The Chaos and The Clutter […]

By: Kirsty @ My Home Truths

Kirsty @ My Home Truths — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 02:01:53 +0000

These are great strategies for dealing with anxiety and for making the holidays more comfortable for everyone. I especially like the suggestion for saying no – I’m still getting used to this one but it helps SO much!

By: Tips to Support Kids Experiencing ANXIETY + Linky - One Time ThroughOne Time Through

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 07:02:18 +0000

[…] Surviving the Holidays with an Anxious Child from The Chaos and the Clutter. […]

By: Dayna@ Lemonlimeadventures.com

Dayna@ Lemonlimeadventures.com — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 04:17:38 +0000

I love this article. Dealing with a son with SPD and Anxiety we deal with struggles in public and events often. The countdown is definitely bringing on anxious behaviors that are out of his control. We have worked very hard the last year to teach him triggers and notice changes in his behavior. So now we are able to say “what do you need?” “how can we help you?” Your advice to “observe” is a great one. We keep a close eye on him and watch for any triggers and then remove him from them as soon as we see it coming before it hits the breaking point. Thank you for sharing!

By: Renae

Renae — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 00:57:08 +0000

What a fabulous article! You definitely reminded me of a few things I need to have in place for next week. I love reading about someone else who has similar issues at Christmas time. Princess is petrified of Santa. Somehow Santa is wrapped up into the abuse and PTSD episodes. Presents and snow are right there with him. Some things we’ve done in the past and present, include putting gifts in gift bags, already taken out of packages, without tissue paper etc. so she can see what’s inside right away and it takes away the anxiety that comes with opening gifts. For our autistic boys, making sure things are already out of all packages and assembled has been HUGE. Instead of focusing on Santa, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, etc., we’ve started new traditions that include themes of The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol. On Christmas morning all of our kiddos have “special spots” where they sit to open their gifts. This is their “safe” spot. Princess always has her favorite stuffed animal with her. For all the kiddos, including those who are autistic, we write social stories for each and every event at Christmas time and read them through several times before they occur. We play games with pictures of relatives, so they will know the names and faces of everyone they’ll see at events. I love your Christmas gift game and will definitely have to use that one. We make sure that there is no candy or junk food Christmas morning, as the kiddos will refuse to eat anything else, which then leads to horrible behaviors. The last thing I’ll mention is sticking together. During the holiday season, Princess, freaks out with so much going on. She tends to do well when we stick together as a family. If there is an event that we all can go to, she’ll do much better than if only some of us go, especially if that means leaving her with a babysitter. Once we realized this, we only go to events where the whole family is involved, and it’s something everyone can handle. It helps with our decision of when to say “no.” Merry Christmas! I wish you the best of luck next week. Again, you’ve reminded me of so much I need to get ready. It being so close to Christmas already, I find I’m just trying to get through the day to day with Princess.