Taking the Kids™
Being a Holiday Host
Cracker crumbs, tiny Lego pieces, and Barbie shoes everywhere…Cartoons blaring at 6 a.m ...temper tantrums in the mall…squabbling cousins…teens who play music all night and balk at being pried out of the sleeper sofa before noon.
Talk about being a glutton for punishment. The family is coming for the holidays. And you can’t wait.
Just don’t expect the visit to be a Hallmark commercial
Be prepared for a lot of pent-up energy when the family finally rolls in, tired and hungry, but glad for the chance to reconnect with parents and grandchildren, siblings and cousins—no matter how imperfect the relationships or aggravating the time spent together.
That said, here’s my annual Taking the Kids annual Holiday Travel Survival Guide, dedicated this season to families hosting grandkids and cousins in the hopes that a little advance preparation will result in lots more smiles and fewer tears:
- HIDE THE GLASS ANIMALS - Especially if there are preschoolers or toddlers in your gang. Roughhousing older kids can do plenty of damage, too. Ask a young mom in the neighborhood to help you do a safety check: Are the outlets covered? Medications stored high in a cabinet? Cleaning supplies locked up? Even baking ingredients such as vanilla and almond extract can be harmful to young children. Check the batteries in your smoke detectors and set the water thermostat at 120 degrees or below to prevent scald burns. Lock up any firearms unloaded, with ammunition locked in a separate location: Post poison control center and emergency medical service numbers near the phone. The national phone # to call for advice is 1-800-222-1222 or visit www.poison.org. For more safety tips, visit the National Safe Kids Campaign Website at www.safekids.org.
- STOCK UP ON CHEERIOS, apple juice, peanut butter, pasta noodles, apples and whatever else your young guests are eating these days. Check with their parents before they arrive. Don’t be insulted if they won’t eat the fancy meals you’ve cooked or the teen vegetarian refuses to look at the turkey. The important thing is the conversation around the table, not what’s on the plates.
- CREATE A KIDS’ HANG OUT AREA, even if it’s just a portion of the den or living room. They’ll be much more comfortable if they’ve got a space to call their own with toys, a TV, and a place to store their gear. They’ll be thrilled if you’ve added a new coveted toy, CD, Video, or DVD to the mix. Suggest they bring along favorite pillows, blankets and for the littlest ones, sheets, and night lights to make them feel more at home.
- DUST OFF THE PHOTO ALBUMS - Kids, even teens, love hearing stories about when their parents were young. Here’s your opportunity to share them. Pick up a new copy of their parents’ favorite children’s story. Teach the kids to make special holiday cookies that their mom or dad liked to make when they were the same age. Present each child with a disposable camera so they can take home lots of pictures.
- GET THE LUNGS PUMPING - Fresh air and exercise is a must, whether you live amid palm trees or snow-covered evergreens. No one will get on each other’s nerves as much if they’re not confined to small spaces. Know the best playground in town or when the zoo is open. Head to the local YMCA or school pool, ice skating rink, aquarium or museum. Many will be holding special family programs over the holiday week. (Link to many children’s museum and science centers by visiting the Association of Science-Technology Center website at www.astc.org)
- DON’T BE SHY about asking the kids to help. Even the six-year-olds can make their beds (or roll up their sleeping bags) set the table or help with cleanup. Have some construction paper, (washable) markers, scissors and glue sticks handy so the kids can “create” table decorations and place cards.
- LOCK UP THE EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE. The holidays are not the time to air long-held grievances. Nor should anyone but parents be disciplining the children.
Your job is to spoil them. Happy holidays.
By: Eileen Ogintz
