How To Manage Mr. Toad On The Wild Ride

Dear Parent,

The holidays are coming soon and investment parenting is required. Is your child ready for the holidays?  If not, limit excitement now or you will pay during the holiday experience when excessive merriment is the norm--also known as unrelenting dysregulation.

The holiday season can be one hustle bustle event after another. There is the rushing and dashing, crowds everywhere, quick trips, sudden errands, late nights, drop-in relatives from everywhere or perhaps you are the drop-in relatives, and nothing but tight-shoe scheduling for three months.  Oh, and the FOOD!  This is Mr. Toad's Wild Ride—twists and turns ahead.

What to do:

1.  Remember that your child's brain is different.

2.  Excitement can be as dysregulating as abandonment.

3.  Everyone gets stressed during the holidays.

4.  Your stress increases your child's dysregulation.

5.  Slow the heck down.  No, even slower.

6.  Make this holiday all about mindful observance of gratitude every day through the New Year.

That means you are mindful.

7.  Give your inner Martha Stewart a break. It’s a good thing.

8.  Skip the parties or wisely choose one a month.

9.  Limit the number of gifts. Too much is not better.

10. Try not to feed the excitement beast by driving up suspense. Give your child play by play information, so the last minute rush can be predictable and less overwhelming. 

Plan now or pay later.

Love matters,

Ce

P.S. Check out the Love Matters Parenting Society membership for more support.