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5 tips for suriving the Holidays with a Sensory Kiddo.

I shared a few weeks ago how far we’ve come in our sensory journey, and we have, so much to rejoice in. But it just so happens, that being released from therapy came a week before Thanksgiving and the start of the Holidays. I should’ve known better… but I was blindsided by our progress that I didn’t set up for success. Thankfully I knew to go to our tool boxes and try to get us back on track.

Holidays are SO hard for sensory kiddos because of, change; change of house (decorating, rearranging for tree, etc) schedules, foods, sounds, seeing more people. There is also more over-stimulation due to sounds, activities, lights. For kids who are highly sensitive to sounds and such, this is overload for their systems, which results in meltdowns or unusual behavior.

The first few holidays, when my daughter was just a newborn, she would throw up after on Thanksgiving or Christmas… at fist I used to think it was the stomach flu, but then no one else would ever throw up. Then once we were educated on sensory I figured it out. She would vomit from overstimulation of the day.

This animation gives you a glimpse into sensory overload, and how often our sensory experiences intertwine in everyday life.

5 Tips: 

  1. Schedule
    • Try to stick to schedules as much as possible so there is a routine that is dependable. Change can be SO hard for sensory kids.
    • Schedule cards are a something we have used in the past and pulled back out for the Holidays to help move us through transitions. Having these on hand, not just at your house, but even in your purse if you need help with a transition. 
    • Let go of expectations and stay flexible – if you happen to plan something for the Holidays, hold them loosely and don’t force them. Some holiday plans may just mean staying at home more. 
    • Try to keep food schedules and menu’s similar. Too much sugar and colored foods during this time add to meltdowns.
  2. Head Phones
    • We were suggested this by our therapist last year and I finally bought them this year which they are a huge hit! If we are running an errand or at a noisy holiday event, this allows her to drown out the extra noise. If we are sensing a meltdown, playing sensory music or drum rhythms in the headphones may help.

3. Essential Oils – I have shared before about how essential oils are helpful for calming down the body. Here is post a did last year about surviving the holidays with oils. now this year, doTERRA has a kids line, specific for their needs. We love to keep the Steady oil, Calm oil and Brave oil on hand. 

  • These oils in Calmer help quiet the mind before bedtime, support restful sleep, and encourage relaxation.
  • Brave promotes feelings of confidence, courage, and belief in oneself.
  • The oils combined in Steady to evoke calm and balanced feelings. Apply Steady on the bottom of the feet, to wrists, or to the back of the neck to promote feelings of calmness and steady the emotions.

4. Cut out the stimulation, provide quiet space. Allowing retreating.

  • Try to limit noise and stimulation in your house. My therapist recently recommend that I unplug all Christmas lights in my house for a period of time each night to allow less stimulation.
  • Allow your child to escape and have alone time, even if you are out. For example; Last week we were at my parent’s house and my daughter was on overload, yet we still wanted to go over. So when we arrived we set her up in a room all alone with a movie and allowed her to escape from people and connecting. It was the best thing for her (and us) 🙂
  • We have a little tent/ sensory escape for her. She likes to go in there and escape to draw on her magna doodle or read books quietly.

5. Mindset. Positive Affirmations and Promises (for you!)  As a parent, we are SO hard on ourselves. I use to beat myself up with “should-have’s” or that the pressure I am not doing enough. The best thing I can do for both of us, is let the pressure go and change my mindset.

  • Rather than beating myself up, I now say promises and speak positively in and after a meltdown. This allows me to stay patience through the meltdown and for both of us to recover stronger after the meltdown. Don’t get me wrong, I still cry and have emotions when she is in a difficult and long sensory meltdown. But rather than saying, “is this ever going to get better,” or having fearful thoughts about the future I now say,
  • We are going to get through this.
  • I am the perfect mother for ________.
  • God has given me all the strength I need for this moment.
  • Thank you for my daughter, she is a ______. And I begin listing her gifts and special qualities. (sometimes I do this in my head and sometimes I do it out loud.)
  • God you are in this moment with us. Nothing is too hard for you.
  • I am a good mom, I am doing my best.
  • I am patience and positive, I can walk through this.
  • I also then go through and list things I am thankful for. Example: In the middle of a meltdown I will say things like: I am thankful for the resources of our OT, for my husband to support us, etc. 

These are just a few tips that we personally use. I am always reading and learning and surrounding myself with our “team” to get us to a place of thriving. I’d love to hear some of yours tips you’ve used! The Holidays are magical time, sometimes we just have to adjust our expectations to make it peaceful for the whole family. 

 

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