Holidays can be wonderful and fun! They also can be exhausting and stressful. Though this is true across all social classes and communities, it is particularly true to families that are already at risk via employment, housing and/or income. Alongside that, holidays can be times of mourning, empty chairs, and family conflict. The following are just a few tips/ideas that can help others you care about during the holidays:
Respect that not all kids/adults enjoy (or celebrate) holiday breaks
Engage in conversation about positive memories/ideas as much as (or more than) negative ones
Create ideas for free things to do over holiday breaks
Offer and provide a listening ear
Don’t agree or disagree to a struggling situation, rather acknowledge the struggle
Express interest in seeing students/families in January
Discuss and plan (if able) ways to role model helping others, volunteering or obtaining holiday support
Normalize not always being “excited” during the holidays and accept all feelings as okay
Connect kids/adults with professionals, friends, community members that can help
Promote and assist in community holiday meals (and normalize attending)
Give ideas of gifts that do not require money
Provide bundles of canned and boxed food, gloves, hats, cards, etc to anyone interested
Invite others to join in your celebrations
Be the joyful light for those that may not have others
We cannot fix problems or change things out of our control; however, with removing biases, opening hearts, and sharing love—we can make our little differences matter!
#Hope #happyholidays #foster/adopt #love
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