Toronto, ON, November 30, 2009 –  It’s the holiday season again, and for many families, it could be a tough one financially.  The phenomenon of holiday season stress in adults is well-known, but what about in kids?  Children experience stress just like adults do, and the holiday season can have a detrimental effect, particularly when times are tight, say the experts at The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, a Toronto-based children’s mental health service.

“The holiday season is a stressful time for many families, and kids aren’t exempt from that stress,” says Dr. Marshall Korenblum, Psychiatrist-in-Chief at The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre. 
“This year might be more difficult than usual for families, with one or both parents unemployed, worried about job security, or facing other financial challenges.” 

Combine those pressures with the traditional focus on spending at this time of year, and it’s no wonder that everyone is feeling the strain.  And children are nearly two times more likely to worry about their family having enough money than their parents realize, according to the American Psychological Association’s 2009 Stress in America survey.

“Kids do feel the effects of financial troubles in the home, which can be exacerbated during the holiday season” says Dr. Korenblum.  “At The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, we definitely receive more calls from families looking for help at this time of year.”

“Children may find it difficult to behave appropriately in situations they find stressful,” adds Dr. Korenblum, “which can lead to acting out, anxiety, or withdrawal.”

The holiday season is fraught with potential stressors.  Parents face the tough task of explaining to their children that gifts, travel, and entertaining may be curtailed this year.  Kids, having limited perspective, may be frustrated and angry that things aren’t the same as they used to be.  They may feel it’s unfair that they won’t get as many gifts as their friends are receiving.  Some children might even blame themselves for being an additional burden on the family income.  All of these factors can combine to make the holiday season anything but harmonious.

“It’s important to pay attention to your kids but to remember that holiday stress is common,” emphasizes Dr. Korenblum.  “It can be dealt with through communication, understanding, and a little perspective.”

First and foremost, parents’ ability to manage their own pressures can have a meaningful impact on a child’s stress level and behaviour through the holidays.  Parents should try to control their own stress levels, because if they are tense, the kids will pick up on it and be stressed as well.

Try these tips to help decrease holiday stress, minimize the impact of tough economic times, and make your family’s holiday season a happier, more peaceful one:

• Create and maintain inexpensive holiday rituals that encourage enjoyable time together as a family.  These can bring meaning to the holiday season year after year, regardless of the financial situation.  Consider taking a family walk to see holiday lights in the neighbourhood, doing holiday baking together, watching the same holiday movie every year, or volunteering as a family at a retirement home.

• Uncertain economic times provide an opportunity for discussion with your child about what’s really important, the value of relationships versus “things”, and the magic of memories.  Share stories of what you remember most fondly from your own childhood to help explain.

• Keep lines of communication open and respect the fact that your children may still be disappointed that they didn’t get the gifts they wanted, especially if there’s a significant difference between their gifts and those of their friends.  Try to consider your child’s opinion and preferences, even if you can’t do everything they want.

• Focus on giving as well as receiving.  Even if times are tight, teach your children the value of giving by donating a can of food to the local food bank.  They will gain perspective by learning about families who will be using the food bank instead of the grocery store this holiday season.

• Put the holiday season into perspective for your kids.  Many children in other parts of the world – or even close to home – are much less fortunate.  They aren’t concerned about material things because they have to safeguard their own safety, food, shelter, or health.

Ultimately, a safe, secure holiday season filled with love and happy memories is the very best gift we can give our kids.

ABOUT THE HINCKS-DELLCREST CENTRE

The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre is a non-profit children’s mental health centre offering a comprehensive range of mental health services to infants, children, youth, and families.  Each year, more than 8,000 children and families are helped through a variety of prevention, early intervention, outpatient, and residential treatment programs.

In addition to helping children and their families, The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre prepares the next generation of mental health professionals with training and education in child and youth work, nursing, psychiatry, psychology, social work, and early childhood education.  Hincks-Dellcrest Centre researchers also examine the causes of children’s mental health problems and evaluate new treatment methods. 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Caroline Horcher, Communications Manager
The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre
(416) 972-1935, ext. 3244
chorcher@hincksdellcrest.org