They know when you are sleeping, they know when you’re stressed out! The American Psychology Association noted that 39% of children feel sad and worried when their parents are stressed. Holidays bring heightened emotions and challenges. A little awareness and a few tips to reduce holiday stress and increase Christmas joy!

Here are 4 Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress:

Get your child used to the word NO. Before a family get-together, party, or trip talk to your children about the rules and expectations. Trying it out on an airplane for the first time is not advised.

Be mindful of your child’s eating schedule. Preparing a small meal or healthy snack before heading to a dinner party or waiting online to see Santa can be all you need to head off a holiday meltdown.

Schedule age-appropriate shopping excursions. Take your children shopping when you are going to one store and looking for a gift they will enjoy helping you find. Gift shopping should be a relaxing and bonding time with your child. Think child-friendly stores!

Demonstrate relaxation techniques to your children. When you feel your stress or anger levels increasing, focus on your breathing. Tell your children what you are doing and encourage them to join you. Share how good it feels to be still for a moment during a busy day!

Relaxation breathing is easy with our Indigo Dreams CD Series. We have stories that introduce deep breathing to your children and we have a CD for adults to guide you through breathing, Indigo Dreams: Adult Relaxation.  Look through the other tips for avoiding holiday time stress on the Part 1 and Part 3 in this series.

Stress Free Kids founder Lori Lite is a freelance blogger, social media strategist, parenting expert, and successful entrepreneur. Her line of books and CDs are designed to help children, teens, and adults decrease stress, anxiety, and anger. Ms. Lite’s books, CDs, and lesson plans are considered a resource for parents, psychologists, therapists, child life specialists, teachers, doctors, and yoga instructors. Lori’s award winning books received national attention on Shark Tank and her sort after accessible tips have been featured in hundreds of publications to include: CNN Living, Real Simple Magazine, USA Today, Family Circle, Working Mother Magazine, and Web MD. For more information visit  Stress Free Kids and for daily advice follow Lori on Twitter and Facebook.