Nurturing Holiday Connections: Rediscovering Play and Wonder with Your Kids
The holiday season has arrived! With busy schedules, family gatherings, and school events, it can be hard to make the time for connection, especially with our children. Adjusting to school holiday schedules and extra events for the kids can make the season feel daunting. We want things to feel magical and whimsical, but sometimes we may not know how to get there without it feeling forced.
Juggling all these stressors while finding time for connection and play with your family is not easy. If you find yourself feeling like it’s unmanageable, consider reaching out to a mental health counselor who can work with you to create the best plan for you and your family! A therapist can help you identify and manage your stressors, embrace your inner child, and build greater connections with your family.
Let’s learn how to embrace family time and activate our inner child’s sense of wonder and play!
Embracing Play: Letting Yourself Be a Kid Again
As parents, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of responsibilities and forget the simple joys of being a child. The holidays provide the perfect opportunity to rediscover the magic that we used to feel. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and constantly thinking of what you need to do next, but take time to pause and play! You deserve to feel the joy of playfulness, and your kids will love it too. You can play board games, create scavenger hunts in your house, or have a gingerbread house decorating competition, the possibilities are endless. Think about things that made you feel happy as a child, or things you wish you could have done but weren’t able to. This will help you heal your inner child and their needs while also fostering a deeper connection with your kids.
Parents of teens may find it even harder to create these memorable moments. If you lead by example and show them that fun and playfulness are essential for every age, they might feel more inclined to join in. The laughter and joy that come from embracing your inner child can be infectious, so show them the way!
The pressure to create the perfect family holiday can lead to overly structured activities that feel forced. Avoid trying to create a picture-perfect experience for every holiday function, and focus instead on making memories and being present. Not every moment needs to be planned out, and it’s ok if things get messy. The best memories are made from the spontaneous, carefree moments we have together.
The Importance of Connection Through Play
Play is not just for kids, we need it as adults too. Playfulness decreases stress and tension, boosts creativity, and heals childhood wounds. If you’re not used to expressing yourself through play as an adult it may feel odd at first, and that’s okay! Lean into the uncomfortable moments to find what brings you joy. By learning ways to express yourself through play, you can use that to build connections with your kids. Engaging in play with your children fosters communication, builds trust, and promotes emotional expression. Playing together can help bridge the gap that naturally forms as our children grow up and become more independent.
For teens, whose lives are often filled with academic pressures and social challenges, they may be struggling with the balance between rest and family connection. The adolescent years are extremely difficult to navigate, and they often feel pressure to lose their sense of childlike wonder. Finding counseling for your teenager is helpful when you see they are struggling with finding this balance or seem to have lost their childhood playfulness.
During the holiday break, give your teen space to relax and disconnect where they need to, but it’s also important to encourage them to play. By engaging in play with your teens, you create a safe space where they can express themselves freely and enjoy the simplicity of being a kid again. Instead of making them participate in something they don’t want to, talk to them about their favorite holiday pastimes or games they enjoyed when they were younger. Use that to help you come up with things you’ll enjoy together.
Holiday Traditions: Building Bonds and Creating Memories
Holiday traditions create lasting memories and encourage connection with the whole family. Include your children in the conversation about holiday traditions, what they look forward to, what they may not like, and new traditions they want to start. By letting your children have a say in the current traditions and the creation of new ones, you’re giving them a sense of belonging, autonomy, and excitement. Getting creative and finding new ways to celebrate together is a bonding experience they’ll remember forever.
This approach to holiday tradition not only empowers your children but also ensures that everyone’s interests are valued and considered. Instead of feeling obligated to carry out traditions, they will see their worth as an important member of the family unit. When activities feel organic and enjoyable, the connections formed are more likely to be authentic and lasting.
Conclusion
As parents, the holiday season provides a unique opportunity to connect with our children on a deeper level. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and caught up in busy times but remind yourself of how magical it can feel to be a child around this time. By embracing play, letting ourselves be kids again, and establishing authentic holiday traditions, we can create an atmosphere of joy and connection that extends beyond the holiday break.
At Nurture and Be Therapy Services, we encourage you to prioritize genuine connections over the pressure to create a perfect holiday. Amid the chaos this time of year can bring, remember to take time to laugh, play, and be present. Mental health counselors can help you balance the stress of the holidays with the joyfulness you deserve to experience! We serve Georgia, Florida, and Pennsylvania virtually, with office locations in Buford, GA and Peachtree City, GA. Book a consult with us today!
