Last year my son (now 8) became very stressed from around now until the end of January - refusing school, tummy aches, rude/controlling behaviour at home etc. Frankly it was a really horrible time for the whole family, I put it down to different school time tables and events and also because he has a Christmas birthday.
This year, he is in a new school and has been much less stressed, they do not have much of a different timetable except this week has been tests and a non uniform day... he is starting to become more angry and controlling at home again and worried it will be like last year. School, meanwhile, describe him as "laid back", "resilient" and "mature" (even though he told me he cried all the way through PE yesterday).
Do any other parents experience changes in behaviour in the run up to Christmas and have you found success in managing the stress in any way? Do you do less Christmassy stuff? Looking for some ideas to try to help him out this year. Thanks!