Sleep Ponderings from Me: Holidays

As the exciting holidays approach you have to make lots of choices when you have children. Do you vaguely remember those pre-children days where you went to every holiday event without a care in the world? Where you would stay out until whenever and know that sleep could be reclaimed the next morning?

Well, since those days are over choices have to be made.
We have to decide when to get a babysitter (if you can find one during the holiday season), when to take the kids, when to let the kids stay up later, when to skip a nap... The holiday season can leave you and your kids thoroughly exhausted. So, think about the choices you are going to have to make.

• Plan now for the babysitters you will need so you can go out.
  
• Plan out how you can get your kids enough sleep on the actual chaotic holiday(s). Getting your kids enough sleep can help you avoid meltdowns, tantrums, and whatever else bright colors, lights, sugar, and gifts stimulate in a child.
• If you know your kids are going to have to stay up late, try to offset that with a nap.
• Limit sugar as best you can... for all the obvious reasons.
• With all the excitement make sure you help them wind down before taking a nap or going to bed.
• If it is going to be the best idea for your child to go to bed at another location- bring whatever you need- pjs, pack n play, noise maker, blankie...
• Make age appropriate decisions: Celebrate the holiday, so that they participate in some of it, you and the grandparents can get pictures, and then they can go to sleep- they don't need to participate in the entire holiday when they are young
  
• Plan some mellow post-holiday days with some extra sleep and rest to recuperate from the crazy holiday(s)

You will all enjoy and get the most out of the holidays if you get enough sleep. Enjoy all the extras within reason. Find balance this holiday season between the fun, festivities, and sleep.