Are you a parent of a young child? Have you ever been so busy with the Holidays that you realize that you haven’t spent that quality time with your child? Or have you ever thought how in the world can they help? All of us have been there where we wonder just how can my 3 year old help with the Holidays? Here are some ways you can help your child be a part of new holiday traditions.
Let them bake! If you carry in the holiday tradition of baking cookies let your child help. This gives you quality time with them and makes memories that will last a life time. Cooking also helps with pre-math skills with measuring and dividing. This also helps with your child’s motor skills when stirring and mixing together the dough. Not to mention the joy of eating fresh from the oven cookies. You child will also feel a sense of pride when you put the cookies out for friends and family and also for Santa.
Let them decorate! If your child is anything like mine they love to touch and explore what they shouldn’t. Let your child help decorate. This lets them explore new things while eliminating that curiosity of the unknown. It will also give them a sense of ownership because they are the ones who put out that decoration. If you have young children I suggest things that are non-breakable in case they drop it. This also can be applied to the outside. Let your child come and decorate the outside with you. The fresh air is good for their development and health and gives them the opportunity to work off their excess energy! A snowball fight or two can be an awesome addition to this fabulous time together.
We now come to the dreaded Holiday shopping. We all know those long lines and people everywhere. How do I entertain my child? Come prepared with snacks and activities for them while you are waiting. Create their very own shopping list so they can feel like they are helping you shop. Give them a list, crayon, and clipboard so they can mark off items on your list. If your child is older then let them load the cart as you go. It gives them purpose and also occupies them so you can achieve your goals. This can also be an excellent opportunity to have quality time with each parent while shopping for each other.
The Holidays can be a stressful time. There are often little things that we can do with our children to incorporate them into our busy schedules and get that quality time to create lasting memories and traditions for years to come.
