Are you and your family traveling to grandma’s this weekend? Keep in mind that the holidays provide an entirely different kind of stress for your baby whether he or she is an infant or a toddler. Holidays are times when families see each other — sometimes for the first time since the previous holiday. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, grandparents and more will be surrounding your little one with a great deal of love and more often than not – a lot of touching.
Let’s Not Think About the Colds & Stuff
Viruses – though often transmitted during the holiday shuffle – aren’t the primary concern of the parent with the young infant or toddler. The overwhelming stimulation of too many hugs, too many hands, too many strange voices and more can be just too much for your little one. It’s important to recognize this and prepare yourself for it prior to arriving at your family’s home or their arrival at yours.
Begin with a simple introduction and ask family and friends to let baby go to whom they want to. Don’t crowd a toddler and don’t insist that they hug or kiss anyone they don’t want to. Politely, but firmly enforce the fact that your baby is not a stuffed animal who is going to want to be passed from hand to hand – especially into unfamiliar hands.
Don’t Let Guilt Be Your Guide
Don’t ever feel guilty if your toddler doesn’t immediately embrace relatives they don’t know. Some toddlers are extremely wary of people they don’t know – and family is still comprised of strangers until they get to know them. I’ve seen very happy go lucky and gregarious toddlers retreat at the overwhelming presence of many family members arriving.
The noise levels are going to rise and there is a very natural tension that expands to fill the empty spaces when so many family members gather. So insist that your toddler be given their time to adjust. Keep yourself or your spouse on hand so they have someone to fall back on for support and protection if they feel they need it.
The more patient your guests and family are towards your baby, the more likely it is to make the visit pleasant for the toddler and to encourage them to reach out on their own. Patience, in this case, is often its own reward.
How do you help protect your baby from stress at the holidays?
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