Holiday Stress
Busters for Parents of Autistic Children
One of the happiest – and most stressful – times of the year
is right around the corner. Although the
Holidays are known as the time of the year when families get together to catch
up, dine and tell one another how much they care for each other, the Holidays also
bring cramped parking at the malls, endless shopping to find the best deals on
the hottest toys and trying to find the time to clean and decorate the house
before out-of-town family arrives. Oh,
did I forget to mention sleep?
Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas can provide memories
that last a lifetime, but, if your life is already stressful, the Holidays can
become overwhelming.
In honor of the upcoming holiday season, I’d like to take
this opportunity to give parents of autistic children a few ideas to beat
seasonal stress.
·
The Holidays are a time of marvels and
sensations. Connect to your sense of
wonder. Does your child find peace in
the tranquility of looking at holiday lights?
Try the Garden of
Lights at Brookside Gardens where kids can walk quietly to admire the light
displays if they need time for inner reflection or can run through the gardens
if they need physical activity to regulate themselves. This family favorite can be as quiet or as
loud as your child needs. Let’s face
it. If your children are happy and
having fun, you’ll be less stressed and can take time to enjoy the seasonal
lights too.
·
Keep track of holiday schedules. Families’ day-to-day schedules are hectic, but
adding holiday recitals, family dinners and school parties can be stressful for
everyone. Keep a calendar displaying
events for each family member. This will
help children to mentally prepare for the outing and will also help you limit
activities. If your calendar is becoming
too much to handle for you and your child, don’t feel guilty about declining
invitations. Instead of trying to pack
three parties into one day, clear your schedule for a night and stay home to play
a family game or watch a movie. Nothing can
help you feel better about your family’s holiday season than to watch America’s
favorite, dysfunctional family, the Griswalds, in “National Lampoon’s Christmas
Vacation.”
·
Know that you’re not alone. Many families of autistic children find that
speaking to parents of other special needs children gives them much needed
support and a sounding wall for ideas. Check out these organizations that offer
family services and support groups – Autism
Speaks, The Autism Society of
America, The National Autism
Center and the National
Autism Association. Additionally,
visit these resources on Facebook to learn about community events, family
meet-ups in your area or share your personal experiences – AutMont,
Autism Discussion Page,
Autism Sparks, Autism:
Different, Not Less and Autism
Awareness. If you live in the Washington,
D.C., area, join this great parent group – Maryland Moms of Autistic
Children.
·
Define success for your family. Every family doesn’t have to have a Martha
Stewart holiday season with a perfectly trimmed tree, beautiful buffet
centerpieces and songs happily sung by an open fire. Don’t place undue stress on yourself and your
family by trying to live up to unrealistic expectations that you place upon
yourself. As long as your family has fun
and shares a few laughs, the Holidays will be a great success!
I want to wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving
and holiday season. And, I hope you join
me at this blog for lively discussions and ideas to bring fun and happiness to
your families.
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