How to Manage Big Behaviours and Overwhelm This Christmas
For families who just want a calmer day, without the chaos
December can bring magic… but it can also bring meltdowns.
Between the sensory overload, social expectations, late nights, overstimulation, and broken routines, it’s no wonder some kids struggle with behaviour this time of year, and no wonder parents feel completely drained.
If your child finds it hard to cope with big days like Christmas, you’re not alone. Here are some practical ways to make the season easier on everyone — no labels required.
1. Lay the Tracks Before the Train Arrives
Preparation is one of the kindest things we can offer.
If your child doesn’t know what’s happening or if things change without warning, their sense of control is lost. That’s when anxiety spikes, or big reactions show up.
Instead:
Talk through the day in advance. Be clear and calm; who’s coming, what to expect, what’s expected of them.
Use visual prompts. You can draw a timeline or checklist if they’re younger.
Explain rules gently. Will shoes be off inside? Will there be candles? Are there pets? Visitors?
When kids know what’s happening, they feel safer, and that’s when we see more regulated behaviour.
2. Create a Safe Exit Strategy
Every child deserves a space to reset.
Choose a quiet space; a bedroom, a corner, even a cushion fort that your child can go to whenever they need a break.
This is their chill-out zone: no questions, no pressure, no guests.
Let them know they can go there anytime, for any reason. Add things like:
Headphones
A favourite toy or book
A familiar blanket or pillow
A small snack or fidget tool
This is especially helpful if visiting family or hosting a crowd. Autonomy helps regulation.
3. Prime Others, Kindly but Clearly
Not everyone will understand, but they don’t need to. They just need to respect it.
It’s absolutely okay to set boundaries with well-meaning relatives:
“He doesn’t do hugs, a wave is great.”
“She might take a while to warm up, no pressure.”
“We’ll keep things flexible today depending on how he’s coping.”
You’re not being rude, you’re protecting your child’s wellbeing.
4. Ditch the Magazine Version of Christmas
Let go of the image. Let in the reality.
Your house doesn’t have to be covered in lights.
Your child doesn’t have to wear the itchy Christmas .
You don’t have to set up an Elf, wrap everything like a Pinterest reel, or host like it’s the movies.
The magic doesn’t live in the image.
It lives in the connection.
When you let go of imposed expectations, you give your child the greatest gift, a parent who’s present, not performing.
5. One Last Thing…
Everyone’s tired by now.
Teachers. Parents. Kids.
The end of the school year brings a silent load, the mental fatigue, the emotional drain, the sensory residue of a long, long term.
If your child is more sensitive, more defiant, more emotional, it’s not just Christmas…
It’s everything.
So go gently.
Take breaks.
Skip the things that don’t matter.
And know that even if the day doesn’t go to plan, you’re doing something far more important than sticking to a schedule.
Coming soon: A full parent-friendly guide to navigating Christmas Day — with visual support strategies, social tips, and prep tools to reduce meltdowns and increase calm.
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