PALO ALTO, Calif-- All the excitement of Christmas and holiday planning can leave American families a bit stressed.  Margo Thienemann, MD, child psychiatrist and mother of two, offers the following advice to help reduce this anxiety.  Reporters planning holiday stories can excerpt these tips or contact us for an interview with Dr. Thienemann.
 
Dr. Thienemann is Director of the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Packard Children’s and an Assistant Professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
 
Family visits
“Getting together with family can be anxiety-provoking.  A way to limit the stress is to carefully think through how long this interaction should be and how it should be structured.  Limit your goals and expectations and you may have a better time.”
 
Schedules
“Parents and families already have a regular schedule that’s quite busy.  Add the parties, cooking, shopping and wrapping and it’s no surprise that people are so anxious. Parents should try to sit down, take a deep breath and plan out a schedule that’s realistic and doesn’t promote anxiety.  Remember that you just can’t do it all.  The holidays can feel like a decathlon, so remember that it’s OK to tell the family that you can’t make every event or every party. If you arrive at one of these obligations exhausted, then it’s just not worth it.”
 
Shopping
“Shopping during the holidays can create considerable stress, especially when families take kids along and plan multiple stops.  Adults should consider accomplishing only one or two stops at a time or else hire a sitter for the kids.  It’s also helpful to write down a shopping list before heading out.  Try to simplify things.  The more organized you are, the better.”
 
Gift giving
“The holidays are a perfect time to get back to the basics, maybe with an emphasis on the importance of a meaningful gesture.  In many cases, a handmade gift or card will be more valuable than a store-bought gift.  Parents should consider teaching their kids about the negative effects of so much consumerism.  Holidays are also a wonderful time to show the importance of doing something kind for someone.  Involve the family in giving the gift of time for those who long for companionship.  Consider making a food donation.  It may be a time to ask ‘What is really important about this holiday to us?’  Who knows?  You may just start a brand-new family tradition.”
 
Parties
“Many holiday parties are geared for adults rather than kids.  A good tip for parents is to ask the party host if there will be other kids at the party or perhaps even a sitter.  Kids can have a hard time amusing themselves in situations like this.”
 
About Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
Ranked annually as one of the best pediatric hospitals in the nation by U.S.News & World Report, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford is a 264-bed hospital devoted to the care of children and expectant mothers. Providing pediatric and obstetric medical and surgical services and associated with the Stanford University School of Medicine, Packard Children's offers patients locally, regionally and nationally the full range of health care programs and services — from preventive and routine care to the diagnosis and treatment of serious illness and injury. For more information, visit www.lpch.org.