As we enter the winter season we will be preparing for numerous celebrations. Three major religious holidays will be observed. The Muslim celebration is Ramadan, and the timing is based on the Islamic lunar calendar (Hijri). This calendar is based on the moon’s cycles, making the dates shift earlier by about 10-12 days each year compared to the Gregorian calendar. The Jewish celebration is Hanukkah, and the timing is based on the Jewish calendar, a lunisolar calendar, which requires an extra 30-day month seven times in a 19-year cycle creating leap years. The Christian holiday, Christmas, is celebrated on December 25 based on the solar Gregorian calendar which has an extra day every four years, leap year. This date was picked in 336 AD not based on the historical date of his birth but likely on existing Roman pagan festivals.
All these holidays have important religious significance, important family traditions and food, structured religious time and family time, and gift giving. All create time for sharing of cherished traditions but for many families, the “happiest time of the year” can mean unmanageable stress.
No matter what phase of the moon your family is in, there are extra demands on everyone’s time. Schedules are crammed both for adults and children. Everyone in the family is expected to be happy and appreciative. There should be no guilt in saying “that sounds like fun, but we already have something scheduled.”
There are some tips to help your family enjoy the best of their holiday season. First try to stick to your typical routine. If possible, have the same sleep times and mealtimes. Make time for exercise, healthy meals and sleep, even naps.
Routines reduce stress for all and getting enough sleep is important. With all the confusion it is hard to focus on one thing. It is helpful to stop and pay attention to what is happening and focus on one thing for just a moment. This moment can be a time to slow down and simply “be”.
Making these holidays a chance to give to others as a family can become an annual tradition such as contributing to your local food bank or singing at a local nursing home or writing cards to relatives/friends out of town. Making gifts will help with the pressure for overspending and will be treasured by the recipient.
Many families may feel the need to spend more than they can afford to celebrate these holidays. This can increase family stress. Children can learn by setting a holiday budget and sticking to it. One special gift can be as meaningful as dozens of shiny packages especially if you make this part of your family’s thinking about holiday happiness.
Many families may be having sad or stressful times. Children can help brainstorm about whose family may be having problems and how you can help.
Remember family routines are important for all. Eat healthily, exercise as usual and get enough sleep. Put down your phone and enjoy the moment.
Useful suggestions, tips and videos can be found here:
Healthychildren.org