7 Tips for Managing Holiday Stress with Kids

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With the busyness of the holidays, you likely need to find ways to relieve and manage holiday stress.

(especially while the kids are out of school)

Get some much-needed holiday relief with our quick tips to managing holiday stress with kids!

Take a look…

Quick Guide to Managing Holiday Stress (with kids)

There are many things to do to reduce stress.

Be sure to unplug for the holidays so you can really enjoy time together!

#1 No Devices at Mealtime

Designate all mealtimes as periods where devices are put away and face-to-face conversation can be had. That’s how our grandparents used to do it. I miss those days of actual chatting and sharing around our meals. For added ambiance, play some relaxing music at mealtimes to help fill in the gaps in conversation.

#2 Discuss and Write Down Goals

Let your kids be a part of setting the goals and sharing their input. This conversation can be really enlightening. The kids may surprise you with some of their goals and dreams. Maybe start the conversation by scheduling a set (limited) time that both the kids and parents can use technology. Make the decision together and move on to other topics from there.

#3 Stick to Your Guns

Like every good goal, it needs to be enforced. Parents, let your kids know you are serious and set tech time limits. This can be a new endeavor year-round, too. Your kids can help keep you in line as well.

#4 Use Technology Together

When you do want or need to access the Internet and use technology, do it together. Look for new games and maybe even educational activities on apps that everyone can use and play together. Laughing and learning together while playing a family game or learning about a new destination for your next family trip is the perfect type of stress reliever that all ages can benefit from.

#5 Don’t Check It If There Isn’t a Notification 

Kids watch and learn from their parents. If you are constantly checking your phone, your kids will too. Think before you check; use downtime to improve family time rather than your relationship with family, friends, and coworkers. You’ll be surprised to discover how leaving your phone put away can help you with your holiday stress relief goals this year.

#6 Go Old-Fashioned Style

Challenge each other to have fun offline. Create a DIY night where everyone makes a craft or keepsake holiday item. These are opportunities for making some forever memories. And with a craft project, you’ll have something to keep. It will remind you of the quality time spent together. Making a Christmas ornament or picture frame is always a hit. You can also play versions of your favorite games that don’t require technology. Get the board games out. Throw the dice, draw the clue, guess, and laugh. You won’t be sorry!

 

#7 Use Apps to Help Alleviate Some Holiday Stress While Shopping

While we just talked about limiting technology and putting away phones to make sure we interact and converse with our friends and family, there are ways technology can help us with stress this holiday season. Tis’ the season for long lines and crowds of people. But holiday shopping doesn’t always have to be stressful.  Check out these 6 apps that are sure to help make your holiday shopping at least a little bit less stressful, and they will help you save money too!

1. The Coupons App 

This app gives you coupons and online promo codes from over 100,000 retailers. You can search for deals from stores and get notifications when they become available.  You will also get reminders when your saved coupons are about to expire.

2. Rakuten

We get a check from Rauten a few times a year. Sometimes it’s only $15 or $20, but after the holidays, we’ve gotten as much as $200. Rakuten is an app that provides news on deals and coupon codes based on what you are shopping for. Downloading the app also puts you in contact with the Rakuten community, which allows you to swap savings tips. It has an extension that you add to your browser, and it alerts you to “Cash Back” opportunities on everything from pet food, clothing, auto parts, toys, and more. Every little bit helps. And it’s free to join!

3. ShopSavvy

Shop Savvy will keep you up-to-date with the best deals at a wide range of popular stores.  The app allows you to use your smartphone as a barcode reader to check the prices of products.  Once you’ve scanned the items in, you can save them to a wish list, which will monitor when the price drops.

4. Flipp 

This app allows you to skip scanning mailer advertisements and the slew of promotion emails and allows you to get them directly on your smartphone or tablet. You can have access to the circulars from over 800 stores.

5. Santa’s Bag

Santa’s Bag is a great app that allows you to set and manage budgets for the gifts you are purchasing.  You can also create an archive of gifts so you can keep track of what gifts you’ve purchased for members of your family.

6. Store Apps

Once you decide where you’re shopping on Black Friday or otherwise, download that store’s app. These generally include features such as coupons and customer reviews of products. Some retailers have added maps to their apps so shoppers know exactly where Black Friday deals will be located within the store. Most of these apps send you notifications when something you’ve got in your cart is going on sale or is almost sold out.

We hope these ideas and suggestions will inspire at least a little bit more calm and happiness for you and your family.  Less stress and more smiles are always our goals!

Be sure to check out our guides to:

• Sledding Hills
• Christmas Lights & Holiday Displays
• Where to See Santa
• December Events & Things to Do

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From iFamily to Yours,