Don't let stress of holiday season keep you from enjoying your family

    While the holidays are supposed to be a joyous time, the season can lead to extra stress and fatigue, particularly for parents with too much on their plate and not enough cash in the bank.
     To keep parents from feeling overwhelmed at this time of year, Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Louisiana offers the following tips for preventing holiday stress.

Don’t feel guilty.
    The holidays are a hard time financially for most parents. Not only do you pay the bills, but you also try to find ways to buy gifts for your children, other family members, friends and co-workers. Let your heart, not the commercial demands, guide you when giving.

Keep your children on a schedule.
    Regular meals and naps make for well-fed and rested children, who are then more pleasant and cooperative. Try to schedule shopping trips before your child gets tired or hungry.

Involve everyone.
    While you are baking, shopping or wrapping gifts, involve the whole family – especially your children. Discuss colors and shapes or play a guessing game in the store. For older children, involve them in making decisions about the lists of tasks to be accomplished.

Set rules and stick to them.
    Calmly discuss the rules and consequences that you set down with your children. If your child shows unacceptable behavior, be consistent with your actions.

Take care of yourself.
    Don’t neglect your own needs. Sleep, eat well, exercise and stay healthy. Take a bubble bath or a walk; be good to yourself.

For free parenting help by phone, call PCA Louisiana ’s KIDLINE,
1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373).