Helping DD with the build up to Christmas

[sleepfortheweek]

Hi, looking for some tips/suggestions

My DD is 6 and is a very switched on, clever and articulate child. She does however, and has always, struggled when she's overwhelmed with 'big emotions' and she's really struggling with the run up to Christmas.

The last couple of weeks she's having outburst of sudden an uncontrollable crying/anger. Anything can trigger it, but it's hard to get her to calm down. She's never violent or aggressive but she just shouts and cries. Once she's calm we'll talk about it and she'll say she doesn't know why she behaved that way or why she couldn't stop.

The run up to Christmas and all the excitement that goes along with it is definitely building up and I'm looking for ways to help DD deal with it. She's fine in school, but after school and at the weekend it seems to just come spilling out of her.

She's getting a good sleep at night, and she does a couple activities after school/weekend (golf/swimming/football)

Thank you

Try not to over hype the run up, no elf on a shelf or lots of Christmas activities. Lots of time outside and chill time at home.

3 activities outside of school is quiet a lots for a 6 year old. Does she also do some kind of wrap around?

I would just stop any talk about Christmas until Xmas eve and even then keep it low key. If she brings it up just keep discussion calm.

Yes, things like the elf and big advent calendars with stuff in don’t help here. Have her activities finished for the holidays? I would nominate a couple of days for very quiet ‘boring’ things and give her some time on her own playing, to help re-set her a bit. You say she sleeps well but early nights are really important to help them process all their emotions etc at that age; can she sleep in at the weekend?

Thanks everyone!

@Thatwentbadly sorry what do you mean about wrap around?

We do do elf on the shelf, don't think I could take it away at this stage or it would really upset her and my younger DD.

We don't do any Xmas activities out of school but obviously at school it's pretty much Christmas activities all day. They don't break up until the 23rd either so not much time for having lazy days!

@AliceLutherNeeMorgan she's usually in bed between 7/7.30 although it can take her up to an hour to fall asleep (this has always been the case - she has got a very over active brain!)

We would love it if she slept in at the weekend but she gets up at about 7/7.30 just like weekdays

Make sure she is eating regularly. I know a boy who would get into a rage over seemingly nothing until his mother figured out - he's much better now she makes sure he eats three meals plus a couple small snacks.
But sounds like you are doing well talking it out. Make sure she knows you love her even when she is losing it. When my daughter and I had an issue her biggest fear afterwards was that I might not love her anymore.

By wrap around I mean childcare before and/or after school eg breakfast club or childminder. It’s something to consider when you think about the number of activities she is doing.

That’s a late break up! As an ex teacher and as a parent I sometimes think a later break up is better as there is time to chill before the January return.

@Pipandmum oh yes, DD has a huge appetite and also flies off the handle if she hasn't eaten within the last hour 🙄. She used to have an afternoon break at school but they've done away with that and extended their lunch break slightly, so when she gets out of school she's 'starving' (she has a hot meal everyday at school). I always make sure I have a snack for her when she gets out, and she has an early dinner too.

@Thatwentbadly ah I see. No, I work during school hours so it's me who drops her off and picks her up after school. She has 2 weekday activities (Monday and Friday) at 5pm and one on a Sunday