Three ways Valley parents can make family gatherings merrier for everyone
Keeping children from getting overwhelmed is key to preventing meltdowns
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DeaAnna Carpenter
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By DeaAnna Carpenter | Parent Educator, Arizona’s Children Association
Young children seem to have their biggest emotional outbursts during family gatherings. What’s behind this behavior, and can anything be done to ease these moments?
At its core, these episodes stem from children feeling emotionally overwhelmed and overstimulated. When kids experience feelings they don’t yet know how to process or communicate, their reactions often come through in intense ways.
If you dread the holidays each year because of how stimulating they are for your child, don’t worry. There are some steps that you can take to help them.
Prepare your kids in advance
Taking the time to sit down with your children and walk them through the details of an upcoming gathering can make a significant difference in helping them feel more secure and prepared.
Start by explaining who will be at the party, including any family members or friends they might not know well. Share when the event will take place and give a simple rundown of the schedule, such as when they’ll eat, play and head home.
By providing this context in advance, you’re helping your kids understand what to expect, reducing uncertainty and easing any anxiety they might have about the event. This thoughtful preparation can go a long way in setting the stage for a positive experience.
Kids eat first
Check in with your children during gatherings to make sure their needs are being met. Making sure they aren’t hungry, sick or tired can help prevent them from acting out.
Low blood sugar can have a significant impact on emotional regulation, especially for children. Just as adults can become irritable or short-tempered when they’re hungry, children often experience similar feelings. When blood sugar drops, the body releases stress hormones like cortisol, which can cause mood swings, frustration and even tears.
This emotional response is especially common in young children, who may lack the ability to express what’s wrong in a calm manner. When their energy levels dip, their behavior may become unpredictable, leading to tantrums or meltdowns.
Ensuring that kids have regular, balanced meals and snacks can help prevent these emotional outbursts, allowing them to maintain a more stable mood throughout the day.
Stick to the routine
Sticking to a consistent routine is one of the most effective ways to help children avoid meltdowns. When children know what to expect throughout the day, they feel more secure and less likely to become overwhelmed by uncertainty.
Predictable schedules, including regular mealtimes, naps and bedtime, provide children with a sense of stability and control, which can significantly reduce anxiety. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children who follow a consistent routine are less likely to experience emotional outbursts. By sticking to a routine, parents can help create an environment where their children feel more balanced, leading to calmer interactions and fewer stressful moments.
Planning ahead can make all the difference when it comes to helping your child navigate new or overwhelming environments. Whether it’s a favorite toy, a comforting blanket or a pair of noise-canceling headphones, bringing along something that helps your child feel secure is essential.
These small steps can go a long way in creating a more positive experience for your child and ensuring that everyone enjoys the outing with less stress. It’s natural for parents to feel upset when a child is having a tantrum, as “mirror neurons” often pick up and reflect your child’s actions. You can use this to your advantage by slowing your breathing, which can encourage your child to do the same.
