I am the queen of making lists.  Like many busy working moms, I use lists to help me juggle the myriad of balls that I need to keep in the air on a regular basis:  the grocery list, the list of school events, sports and music lessons, not to mention the lists I make at work to remind me to follow up on patients and to take care of the other responsibilities that come with being a partner in a busy pediatric practice.  Though they sometimes drive me crazy, lists actually help keep me sane by keeping me at least a little bit organized and by helping to prevent important stuff from falling through the cracks.  With the holidays approaching and the myriad of extra things to do, I find myself making even more lists.

This is also the time of year when my days at work get busier.  Interestingly, just as the holiday hustle- and-bustle begins, more young children come in for sick visits due to the emergence of all those nasty winter viruses, and many older kids come in for more non-specific, often stress-related problems, such as headaches and fatigue, now that school has been in full swing for a few months and academic pressures are rising.   I usually sense that parents, too, are a bit more stressed out at this time of year.  It seems like everyone is a little edgier. 

To help combat the some of these issues, this year I am making one more holiday list, for my patients and for my own family, to help keep us balanced and healthy:

  1. Sleep!   Making sure that our kids are well-rested is one of the most important steps we can take to help them deal with stress and ward off infection when (not if) they’re exposed. Though it’s fine to break it up every once in awhile, try to adhere to a regular bedtime schedule.   And remember that parents need sleep too!  One of the most important things we can do to take care of our kids is to take care of ourselves.  Like our children, when we are better rested, we are more efficient, less cranky and generally better able to handle the various challenges that face us each day.
  2. Eat Merrily And Well.  The holidays are a time to enjoy delicious food with family and friends.   Numerous studies vouch for the benefits of regular family meals, so it behooves us all to make this a priority.  And try to make sure that there is some nutritional balance despite all those cookies and pies.
  3. Keep Moving.  Mix indoor parties and gatherings with as much fresh air and activity as possible.  Continuing to set aside time for the whole family to be active together helps everyone feel better and sends the message that regular exercise is an important part of staying healthy, even during busy times.
  4. Simplify The Schedule.  Try not to pack too much in.   While there may be many gatherings that you just can’t miss during the holidays, choose carefully those you decide to attend, recognizing that you don’t have to go to every single event.   And remember to schedule family downtime.  Your kids are more likely to remember baking Christmas cookies together than the endless stream of crazy holiday parties in years to come.
  5.  Stress hand-washing.   Teaching your kids to wash their hands frequently and well is one of the best ways you can help reduce their risk of infections.  This is such a basic, simple step, but it is one of the most important health habits you can foster.   
  6. Get the flu shot.  The U.S. Center for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics expanded the recommendation a few years ago that all children ages six months to 18 years be vaccinated against influenza.  Caretakers of young children, especially children under six months who are too young to be vaccinated, should also protect themselves (and their babies) against the flu by getting immunized. 
  7. Keep safety in mind.  While it’s always important to keep safety at the forefront of your thinking as a parent, the holidays present additional challenges and risks for injury.  Check out the American Academy of Pediatrics website for safety tips on everything from reducing the risk of fire hazards from Christmas trees to making sure that new toys are safe:  www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/novtips.cfm.

Even if my list doesn’t decrease your “to do” list for the holidays, hopefully it will help you and your kids stay healthy, safe and a little less stressed.  As this season of celebration and giving approaches, what better gift can we give our children than to teach them the importance of taking care of themselves?  Here’s to a blessed, happy and healthy holiday season.