Ease The Angst Of Being Away At Christmas

Traveling during the holidays to visit family and friends is a time-honored tradition. Your youngsters, however, might not know this. If you are planning on spending your first holiday away from home with children that are more than a few years old, prepare for some angst-riddled little balls of energy on your hands.

Children might enjoy excitement and adventure, but many also appreciate family routines. If you have established your own routine for the holidays, breaking it can come as a shock for the little ones.

To help them handle the prospect of traveling at Christmastime, here are some common issues that may come up and helpful advice to tackle the concerns:

• Presents – Your children are very likely going to fret over whether or not they will receive presents on Christmas morning. They will want to know if they will still have presents from you. If you plan on giving, make sure they know when they will receive their gifts from you. Tell them you are bringing along the gifts, or that you will open them before you leave or as soon as you get back.
• Food – If your children are used to you making a special Christmas breakfast, dinner or dessert item, consider keeping this part of your tradition alive on the road. Ask the friends or family you are staying with if you could make your kids the pancakes they are used to or prepare that special dessert in advance and bring it along.
• Santa – Kids always worry about whether Santa will find them when they travel. Assure them that he will A.) Know exactly where they are and that presents will be under the tree; or B.) That they can count on Santa visiting your home while you are gone.

Traveling during the holidays can make tradition savvy youngsters worry. Ease their minds by trying to keep some of the traditions you have established alive and by answering their questions when you are able.