Holiday Survival Guide

Holiday Survival Guide: Thanksgiving

It's a hard lesson, but try not to let others dictate how you spend your holiday. Learn to not let the expectations of others dictate what is best for your family. Come late, leave early, bring comfort items, and watch for signs of stress so you can make necessary accommodations for your child.

Greetings: 

When arriving and departing holiday gatherings know your child’s comfort level with physical greetings. If your sensory-sensitive child is not comfortable giving out lots of hugs amidst the chaos, it may help to prepare family members ahead of time so they don’t interpret your child as being rude. With young children, practice greetings before gatherings and allow your child to say hello to family members with either a hug, handshake, high-five or wave. 

Clothing: 

Avoid having your sensory-sensitive child wear new clothes on Thanksgiving day. At the very least, test them out ahead of time. Holidays hold enough triggers for sensory kids, between bustling houses full of family, unfamiliar foods, and a change in routine. Dealing with those additional stressors will be much easier for your child if they are in comfy, familiar clothes and shoes.

The Holiday Meal: 

If the Thanksgiving table might be full of foods that your child may not be willing to try, be sure to offer to bring a dish that is familiar to your family if you have a picky eater on your hands. 

Take a Time Out:

If Thanksgiving will be held at someone else’s home, identify a spot where your child can go if they are feeling tired or overwhelmed. Bring along comforting items in case they need to retreat for a bit. Or, if you are able, host the event in your home so you can better control the environment for your child. When there is a lot of football watching or post-meal napping that might be going on, send your child on an outdoor scavenger hunt looking for nature items or just get some movement and quiet time outdoors.