Children and teens get used to their routines.  While the winter holiday break brings much needed rest and time to reconnect with family and friends, the change in the daily routine can bring stress and anxiety to school students.  Here are some ways that you can minimize that stress while helping your child stay ready for school when the break is over:

Keep their regular schedule in mind.  You can't always travel and get to holiday gatherings at times that reflect your children's usual school schedule, but keeping their daily routines in mind can help a lot.

 Try to have meals close to the times they would at school.  Avoid super late evenings or early morning rising as much as you can.  

Make the Schedule of Activity Known.  Keep children in the loop about what your activity plans are. You can post a wall calendar showing what dates you will be travelling, what relatives will be arriving and when, and even the return dates for school.  The holidays can be hectic.  Letting your children know what to expect will reduce anxiety and help prepare them for transitions.  Older children and teens can read a wall calendar on their own, and will appreciate the visual guide to events.  Younger children will benefit from a daily reminder of what is happening and on which days.  

Remember Traditions. Traditions are an important part of the holidays, and can help keep predictability and fun going over the winter break.  If you have always opened one gift the evening before Christmas, keep doing this even though your children might be getting a little older.

 Ask your children what traditions they remember from previous years, and try to continue doing them.  

Remember Good Food.  Holiday treats are often loaded with sugar and poor in protein and nutrients. Make sure your children stick to balanced meals to avoid those big rushes and crashes that can come from too much sugar and not enough substance. Most children can handle eating sweets if they have also eaten enough protein rich food at regular meal times.  

Avoid Rushing.  It's tempting to try to pack in as much as you can during the holiday season, After all, you need to make sure you see all of your siblings, give you and your spouse's parents' equal face time, drive around and look at Chirstmas lights, finish purchasing, wrapping and delivering gifts, and spend do all of those fun winter events with your own kids.  Take some time to slow down and enjoy what you do.  Don't feel pressured to do everything, you are better off to do a few things that you enjoy than trying to do everything and feeling rushed.  Children and teens need time to relax over the break - and most parents do as well.  Be sure to get that time in.  

Leave The Kids Out Of The Shopping.  Shopping during the holiday season is packed and overwhelming.  Take advantage of childcare offers at larger stores and malls, or arrange to swap childcare with a friend.  If you want to include your children in selecting gifts, you can talk with them at home about what you can pick up for them.  Saving them the trip to the mall can reduce their anxiety, and yours since you will be able to shop in peace.

Above all, take care of your own self.  Parenting is a lot of work.  Making sure that you are feeling your best will help you to do everything necessary to support your child.