Celebrations can always be a challenging time for our children, the loss of rountine, the unexpected surprise and the noise, overload and extra excitement, sugar & fear, is an explosive combination for kids with high stress. What can you do to keep them (and you) regulated?
So one option is to opt out and not join in the fun. I have always hated it when i have been the kill joy and not allowed my son to join in parties (even if he was blissfully unaware of them), but this is definitely a safe option... except there will be trick or treaters banging on your door tonight and you cant switch off all the lights and hide...... (maybe you can and make that a game!!) So another option is to go out for dinner or the movies tonight and miss it all!
If you decide to join in with halloween, it is better to start to accustom your child to the levels of stress early. Practice putting on their costume before the day. watch some halloween videos to get them used to the idea. Browse google for costumes so they get to see they are just costumes.
eat before you go out with really filling food
Make an agreement with how many sweets they can eat and how many they save. ( they will sneak a few extra when you are not looking and choose to ignore it).
Agree how many doors you are going to knock on.
Take really bright torches with you.
Have a really long scarf that everyone needs to hold onto as you walk along the street if you dont have enough hands.
Have a nice warm bath at the end of the day to help calm down after doing some deep breathing together and a debrief of the evening -what was great? what was scary? what would they like to do differently next year.
enjoy!!
""Genuinely this really has helped me and my family.
I have been able to easily access the site, log on and follow on from where I left off. When I did have a problem I telephoned Gill who talked me through step by step. What a lovely lady.
When I initially printed off the work book my initial thought was “how may activities”?!!!
With nothing to lose I set to. Prepared, I pressed play. Gill was very easy to listen to, smiley, humorous and more importantly understanding and honest.
The course holistically is well thought out, the videos are not too long, the Activities are simple to follow with great prompts and for the sheer fact that I had to stop, sit down, relax and listen, was a joy and not a chore. ""
- Ann Evans -
Member of the International Stress Management Association
GM Tree Training Ltd
5 Clumber Drive
Frome
Somerset BA11 2LG
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)7392 745790
© 2021 GM Tree Training Ltd, All rights reserved