5 Tips For The Holidays

• Change the scene if you can. Spend the holiday someplace you’ve never been – especially if you won’t have the kids with you over the holidays. But do try to go to a place where you won’t be alone. That can be depressing. Try to find a friend or relative you can visit or travel with.
• If you can’t get away, at least go out to eat and to the movies, or do something you enjoy. Have you always wanted to see “The Nutcracker” or “The Little Match Girl” but never got around to it? Do it now!
• The kids will remember their holiday experience by the time and traditions you put into the holiday – not whether you were able to actually celebrate on the day. While it is hard to not be with your children on the holiday, remember it is just a day – celebrating with them is what makes the holiday special, not the actual day itself.
• You may not want to talk about the past, but your kids might. It’s okay to talk about past holidays and traditions if your kids bring it up. Acknowledging these memories validates a child’s feelings that it’s all right to yearn for or mourn former times. Keeping some traditions, and perhaps modifying them slightly, can provide a sense of continuity and comfort.
• Your kids might miss the other parent when they are with you for the holidays. Work out an arrangement to allow kids to call or Skype during the holiday.

-KITM Therapist