Holiday Sleep Survival Guide for Stressed Out Moms: Part 1

Practical Tips to Help You Make it Through the Season:

The holiday season is upon us, and while it may be the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be the most stressful for moms and dads. Between traveling, family gatherings, and trying to maintain some sense of normalcy in the midst of all the festivities, it's no wonder that sleep often becomes a distant memory. But fear not, because this holiday sleep survival guide is here to help. With practical and evidence based tips, we will discuss strategies to help take the stress out of sleep training children, navigating traveling with little ones, and setting realistic expectations for sleep while still creating healthy boundaries with family members. So let's take a deep breath and get ready to make it through the season with some much-needed rest and peace of mind.

Unwrapping the Stress: Understanding Why Holidays Affect Children's Sleep

The holiday season is a time filled with joy, laughter, and togetherness. But for tired moms and dads, it can also be a time filled with stress and anxiety, especially when it comes to our children's sleep. So why do the holidays often disrupt our little ones' sleep routines? 

There are several factors at play. First, the excitement and stimulation of Christmas can make it difficult for older children to wind down and relax enough to fall asleep. With the house full of family members, cousins running around, and the sound of laughter filling the air, it's no wonder that sleep becomes an elusive goal for our little ones. 

Second, when we're visiting family or hosting guests, our routines often go out the window. Bedtime may be pushed later, naps may be skipped, and overall sleep quality may suffer. Additionally, children may be sleeping in unfamiliar environments, such as different beds or pack-n-plays, which can disrupt their sense of security and make it harder for them to settle down.

Finally, the pressure to create picture-perfect holidays can lead to unrealistic standards for our children's sleep. We may feel pressured to have our toddler sleeping through the night or our 5 month old taking perfect 1 hour naps, when in reality, sleep regressions and disruptions are completely normal, especially during the holiday season.

It's important to remember that holiday disruptions to sleep routines are normal, and setting unrealistic standards can add to the stress. Instead, focus on making small adjustments and providing a calm, comfortable environment to help everyone get the sleep they need.

So what can we do to help our children get the sleep they need during the holidays? Stay tuned as we dive into practical tips and strategies in the next sections of this holiday sleep survival guide in part 2.