Christmas can be tricky for many, here are a few helpful strategies to help this festive period.
Written by Cal Practitioner Adeline Pilfold
Not everyone looks forward to Christmas. For some Christmas is a difficult time.
For those living in poverty, Christmas is a difficult time of year. There’s an expectation to shower children with gifts and overindulge in food and drink. For those already struggling to put food on the table and pay bills, it’s an impossible, and often depressing time of year. Children with look to their parents in the hope of gifts and the whole Christmas experience, whether its visiting Santa or a slap-up Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, where parents may feel that they have let their children down by being unable to provide such an experience.
Bereavement can cause upset at Christmas time – there is an empty place at the table, unopened presents under the tree; resulting in many dreading Christmas. Some families pull together and do their best to make their first Christmas without a loved one, the best Christmas they can. But some are so broken by their bereavement, that it’s impossible to climb out of. Bereavement can affect children differently to adults – adults and children have different reasons to miss a person. A husband may miss his wife because he will now have to parent their children alone, whereas a child may miss the emotional support their Mum gave them.
Some children, especially those with a diagnosis such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may dislike the change in routine, it may be overwhelming for them. Families often adapt to how and where they celebrate Christmas, which can put strain on all affected. To manage anxiety and reduce becoming overwhelmed, children with learning difficulties or existing emotional and behavioural problems may want a low-key celebration, with minimal family members, decorations, food etc. This can have an adverse effect on the rest of the family who may want to get Grandparents over, play loud and exciting games and overindulge in smelly cheese, but they can’t because they have a sibling who cannot cope with such changes.
For anyone struggling with the thought of Christmas, there are strategies that can help to manage anxiety:
· Acknowledging and accepting your feelings
· Planning ahead
· Being open and honest with loved ones
· Taking a step back if something is too overwhelming
· Thinking about how to end difficult conversations
· Agreeing on things in advance, such as budgets or timings
Here are CAL we work with children from a variety of backgrounds, who may or may not be looking forward to Christmas this year. If you would like more information on how CAL can support the children in your school or organisation, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@canineassistedlearning.com
Overall Christmas is about the experience. It’s about making the most of the people you are with, but if you and your family are struggling this Christmas and require support, there are many organisations and charities available that can help. www.samaritans.org www.mind.org.uk