Try This Tuesday #20: Gearing Up for the Holidays

[...] situations that crop up at this time of year. For more info, please visit this week's post, Gearing Up for the Holidays. Share and [...]

So, does this mean we're not allowed to post links to non-holiday related tips (I seem to be in short supply of holiday-related tips). Or is this more of a recommendation of something to write about?

I have a couple [off the top of my head] If you're traveling take a wipe / white board so that you can sketch out that day's routine / timetable as change, any kind, is unwelcome around here. The constant barrage of questions 'when'can be quickly quelled. We find this self calming and reassuring. You can also break down a particular hour or trouble spot as needs be.

Secondly, make a tick down chart showing every day from the beginning to the end of the holiday where ZERO = back to school day. If they boys physically draw a line through each day [and we make a big deal about it] then the first day of school is less of a shock.
Best wishes

Holiday get togethers with family and friends.
This one really throws off my Joey. He gets way too over stimulated and becomes extremely hyper and aggressive.
I would like to participate..would you like me to just write what we do on the comment page?

Wow, this is such a great post. I'll be checking back to see the responses because I DON'T have all the answers to this one!!! Here are a few things I try to do, though:

-involve Daniel in decorating and keep it kid friendly so he's attracted to it because he likes it and it's also safe and okay for him to play with…because he will.

-We will homeschool through the holidays, taking lighter days as needed, but long unstructured periods of time are BAD for us!

-We won't be doing a lot of holiday shopping for several reasons, but will make things together at home. (UPS will also be stopping here several times over the next couple of weeks! Internet shopping is GREAT!!!)

-We'll start learning about the meaning of Christmas this year.

-Holiday get togethers will be low key. We don't go anywhere where there is a high expectation. Even Christmas with family is pretty relaxed. Daniel can participate or not, eat or not, open gifts or not. I've learned that the best thing I can do is HAVE NO EXPECTATIONS. Period. This goes for holiday parties and church services, too. I'll prepare as needed, but (try to) have no expectations. It's harder to be disappointed that way.

I can't wait to read all the other tips. Great topic, Trish!

Hi..I am new to this…but I did figure out how to add my little input.
Thanks…i am learning so much.
Also…Just want to share with you a parenting class I am currently taking. Its called "Stepping Stones Triple P"
For familes with a child who has a disability
I find it so helpful.
hope you all have a lovely day
cheers

Cale,

Thanks for asking. I should have made that more clear; you are welcome to post about anything you wish. I just wanted to put out the idea for those that might have something to share on the topic this month.

I'll update the post with this note as well.

Trish

I'll have to think but I can answer a few.
-For shopping at large malls, our family has always been partial to noise-cancelling head phones. Throw some calming (or favorite) music into a CD player, plug it in, and thus achieve distraction and relaxation. And with the invention of the head-phone splitter, you only need one CD player for up to three kids (assuming they can all fit in the cart. Otherwise you'll need one each.
-Eating on the road. My brother and I have been on several different restricted diets over the year, and I am a notoriously bad eater in the first place. But when travelling, we typically bring a supply of food that we know we can eat, just in case the restaurant doesn't offer anything. But we were always allowed to buy a pop (or other drink) at the restaurant so that we still felt we were part of the group. And there was always an approved snack or two sitting inside my mom's purse in case one of the cousins ordered a dessert.
- We're still working on the change of routine thing. It always throws me off.
Best of luck!

This is a great idea – can't wait to read everybody's tips!

When we travel, especially internationally, I have one watch that I keep on my "home" time zone and stay exactly on the same medication schedule with that. I use another watch for local time.