Children also feel the stress of the Holidays: 7 situations that cause them anxiety and solutions for parents

It's not just adults who feel the pressure of the Holidays – children feel the stress of the season too, often in subtle ways. This stress can manifest itself in changes in behavior and emotional state: they become more agitated or irritable, they may refuse to sleep or eat, and sometimes they lose interest in activities that they once enjoyed. In younger children, screaming, crying or conflicts with siblings may occur more often and more intensely.

A stressed child may also cling more to parents, feel homesick when in a new environment, withdraw or avoid social interactions – for example, refusing to play with other children, hiding behind parents at parties, or constantly asking to go home.

From excitement to fatigue and anxiety

Changes in children's behavior are natural during this period – different schedules, constant hustle and bustle, visits to relatives or expectations about gifts can be overwhelming. Even the most enthusiastic children can experience mixed emotions – from joy and eagerness to tiredness or anxiety.

In these moments, the role of parents is essential: by explaining to children what is going to happen and involving them in planning, we help them feel safe and have more control over things. Even simple information—what visits are scheduled, who will be in attendance, or what activities will take place—can reduce anxiety and help them adjust more easily to the hustle and bustle of the Holidays.

Here are some things that can throw children off balance emotionally during the Holidays

1. Routine changes

The Holiday season often brings significant changes to children's daily schedule – different sleep times, irregular meals or more social activities than usual. This lack of consistency can create insecurity and irritability, especially in little ones who rely on routine to feel safe. Children feel calmer and more balanced when they have predictable elements in their schedule, even small familiar moments or repeated habits can help them manage the turmoil of this period more easily.

According to a study published in the scientific journal International Journal of Obesity, children who had regular mealtimes and bedtimes at age three managed their emotions better and had fewer behavioral difficulties.

Solution: Even though the schedule during this period is more unpredictable, keep some constant moments every day: approximately the same times for going to bed and waking up, regular meals and familiar habits, such as reading a story in the evening. These little anchors provide the child with security and help them to more easily manage the hustle and bustle and strong emotions of the Holidays.

• Gift expectations

The holiday season brings a lot of excitement around gifts, but also pressure for children. They may have high expectations about what they will receive or how they “should” behave to deserve gifts. Disappointments quickly set in if things don't turn out the way they imagined, which can lead to frustration, sadness or irritability. In addition, comparisons with siblings, friends or other children can amplify anxiety and dissatisfaction.

Solution: You can talk to your child about which gifts are realistic and explain to him that the joy of Christmas comes not only from material things, but especially from the moments spent together. Basically, you can involve him in choosing and wrapping gifts for the family, you can make small surprises together or write notes for your loved ones, so that the experience is as important as the gifts.

• Agitation and over-stimulation

The Holiday period is also accompanied by many activities at the same time – preparations for Christmas, shopping, decorating the tree, visiting. All of this can be overwhelming for children, especially sensitive or younger ones, and can lead to irritability, increased crying, or difficulty concentrating and calming down. Over-stimulation can make emotions more intense and difficult to manage.

Solution: It helps to take small breaks every day, even just 10–15 minutes, where the child can relax, read a story, or do a favorite quiet activity. Also, limit the commotion in the house and plan visits so that they do not overlap with the sleeping schedule and there are too many guests in one day.

• Meals and meetings with the extended family

For some children, social situations can be particularly difficult. They may fear meeting new people or talking to relatives they haven't seen in a long time. Overexposure can cause anxiety, emotional exhaustion and irritability. Babies may become more sensitive, cry more often, or avoid interactions.

Solution: Prepare the child for new situations: explain what will happen, who will be present and what is expected of him, so that he knows what to expect and feels safer. Also, encourage your child to tell you when they feel the need to withdraw. You can explain that it's okay for him to participate only for a short time or to retreat for a while to another room where he can play quietly. Also, give him options: bring a favorite activity (book, game) or spend time with someone you trust so he feels safe and not overwhelmed.

• Meeting Santa Claus

As much as some children look forward to meeting Santa, it can be stressful and overwhelming for others. If you're planning a visit where your child can see Santa, the crowds, noise and waiting time can heighten anxiety, especially for sensitive children or those who stress easily in new situations. For the little ones, the idea of ​​standing face to face with an unknown person, even in a friendly costume, can be intimidating and can generate strong emotions.

Solution: Before going to see Santa, ask the child if they want to participate and respect their answer. Give them the option to retreat or watch from a distance if they feel overwhelmed, and practice together what they might say or how they might react. Choose quieter times for the visit and make sure he has a trusted adult with him to support him so the experience is pleasant and stress-free.

• Dressed in holiday clothes

For some children, the idea of ​​wearing different clothes can be stressful, especially for sensitive children who do not easily accept different textures. Different materials, tights, ties or fancy shoes can be uncomfortable and cause anxiety.

According to a study published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Psychology, tactile sensitivity in children is associated with emotional and behavioral difficulties. When a child has a strong reaction to tactile stimuli (such as clothing textures), this can contribute to restlessness or difficulty managing emotions.

Solution: Give your child a choice between two acceptable clothing options. If regular clothes aren't an option, try to make the experience as comfortable as possible: remove labels that may irritate, choose soft materials, and allow her to change back into regular clothes as soon as possible. Thus, the child will feel more comfortable and the anxiety related to getting dressed will be reduced.

The Holiday period comes with festive meals loaded with traditional dishes – sarmales, sausages, boeuf salad, muffins or various roasts. For some children, these foods can be intimidating or difficult to accept, and the different tastes, flavors or textures can cause them anxiety and even refusal.

Solution: To reduce the stress related to festive meals, keep foods familiar to the child on the menu and introduce new traditional dishes gradually, without putting pressure. Give him the opportunity to choose what he wants to taste and how much, and if he refuses certain foods, don't insist. Allow her to have familiar snacks on hand so the experience is enjoyable and anxiety-free.

5 daily habits that reduce children's holiday fussiness

1. Keep your sleep and wake times as consistent as possible. Even if the schedule is busier, regular sleep helps children to be calmer and more balanced. If you happen to put them to bed later one night, try to go back to your normal schedule the next night. An evening routine is just as important – a predictable ritual, such as brushing teeth, reading a story or a few minutes of screen-free quiet, tells your child that rest time is coming and helps them fall asleep more easily, even on more hectic days.
2. Includes snacks and family meals – in addition to festive dishes, it is important to have well-known and healthier options at hand, especially since during this period children have easy access to many sweets. Fruit, plain yogurt, plain crackers, small sandwiches with cheese or egg, light soups or plain pasta can help balance meals. Eating too many sweets can increase restlessness, irritability and difficulty concentrating, so alternating them with nutritious snacks helps children feel calmer throughout the day.
3. Play and exercise breaks. Even 10–15 minutes of running, dancing or free play helps to discharge energy and reduce accumulated tension. Movement gives children a natural way to regulate their emotions, helps them calm down more easily after hectic moments, and helps them sleep better.
4. Relaxation time – try to create small quiet moments every day, where the child can read, draw, color or simply sit in a calm place. After hectic days, these breaks help him gather, calm down and regain his balance.
5. Limit screen time. During this period, the temptation to turn more often to the TV, tablet or phone is great, but prolonged exposure can lead to over-stimulation and a heightened state of agitation. Screens can make children more irritable, tired and difficult to settle, especially at night. Try alternating them with creative or social activities—board games, drawing, building, reading, or spending time together—that help them relax and regulate their emotions more easily.