The Twelve Days Of A Sensory-Smooth Christmas

•  chedule only ONE activity per day. A party in the cousins, followed by a trip to the Panto is just looking for trouble and when Widow Twinkie starts shouting “HE’S BEHIND YOU” you’ll be wrestling an octopus in the aisle of the theatre with all eyes on you, thinking you’re part of the act! Memories of this very scenario, at a production of Annie, are flooding back…it’s a hard knock life!
• Have some down days, where you do nothing except the nature trip and walk the dog.
• Schedule those down days for a day after a party. Be aware that if your sensory seeking disco dancer has partied til late, they will be the Grinch the next day. Sensitive children are particularly vulnerable to the upset of disrupted bedtimes.
• Same goes for the day after they have eaten 4 selection boxes and 6 packets of smoky bacon crisps. Obviously the real advice is, try not to let that happen, but realistically, they will be surrounded by all manner of goodies that send them stellar and there will be times when, God forbid, you might be enjoying yourself and you miss the haul of selection boxes that your kind aunt (that they won’t kiss) has brought. It’s inevitable. Be prepared to manage the fall-out in the garden and go home if you have to. Remember, you LOWERED your expectations at the start of the holidays!
• Chose your battles and ifwhat they wear doesn’t bother you too much, this is a battle best lost. Christmas clothes are traditionally fancy, with net skirts and patents shoes, shirts with collars and real trousers. Sensitive children, will have sets of clothes that you know they are happy with, let them wear them and if they are amenable to new clothes, have them similar to the ones they like (Leggings, tracksuit bottoms, tight t-shirts) and remember to cut the tags off all of the waistbands and collars.
• The Santa visit. Many Santa experiences now offer a sensory day, where the lights are on, music is low and children can move around as they like. https://www.mykidstime.com/entertainment/sensory-christmas-shows-santas-pantos-holiday-season/ This is a super idea for children with more severe sensory needs. For the majority of sensitive kids a regular Santa visit with their siblings or cousins is ideal if it’s managed well. Sensitive kids are often left out because of their quirks and it is important to have them included as much as possible.
• This is the time when, you really have to avoid the chocolate, until after the visit. A sensory seeking child will be likely to crash into Santa and jump up and down on his knee and a sensory avoider will be in overwhelm,just walking past the elves and candy canes, so by the time they reach Santa they’re in full shrieking meltdown. This doesn’t do them any favours with their friends or siblings. Go as early as you can manage, avoid queuing where possible, have plenty of crackers & water on hand and explain to your child that they don’t have to sit on Santa’s knee if they don’t want to. Give them something that they like to hold for sensory input. I had an awkward experience in Disneyland where my touchy feely child, was stroking a not too impressed Mickey Mouse!
• Anyone familiar with these picky eaters will know not to try to feed them food they don’t like. Don’t expect them to eat much of the Christmas dinner, most of it is unfamiliar in the every day. Have a familiar dish to hand and lower your expectations. Christmas day is not the time to encourage anyone to try new food. Texture is very important. Some like it crunchy, some like it smooth, some warm, some cold. Funny enough, they all seem to like chocolate!
• When all else fails, retreat. That’s my advice to you! Christmas can be overwhelming for all of us and boy, these guys know how to push our buttons. There’s scientific evidence that indulging yourself in a ‘F*** it’ moment reduces pain and stress. Retreat to the garden shed or to a safe pillow and let rip. You’ll return all the better for it!
• M-O-V-E-M-E-N-T. When it’s all going well, move, when it’s falling apart, move. Get that body moving any time of the day or night. Sitting down endlessly is the enemy. Just Dance is a super game for consoles to get everyone moving if you’re stuck inside. Pictionary or charades will get them wildly gesticulating. Floor pianos, following music & movement routines on Youtube, making slime, and when YOU need to sit down, put them in the bath or send them to Grannies (if you have a Granny). The three wise men came to visit Mary on the 6^th of January, don’t berate yourself if you need to ask for help 12 days in!

When the children return to school you can relate how your Christmas of movement had a super impact on the children’s behavior and recommend that the class start, the SIMPLE movement programme for schools. www.simplephysicalliteracy.com

Have yourself a very merry Christmas. With your newly lowered expectations, you may find it’s the best Christmas ever!