Xmas Eve Activities for Toddlers
Xmas Eve for Toddlers is the most electrifying evening of their lives; even toddlers who have not been exposed too much Xmas talk or information; are able to sense the excitement in the air. It is one time of year where there is some sort of emotional energy in every household. Toddlers relate to their families feelings even if they are not expressed verbally and they most certainly relate to the media and of course, other children. For weeks leading up to Xmas, Children across the world are bombarded with everything Xmas and Toddlers sense this excitement. Don’t forget for the last six weeks, every ad on TV, every catalogue; every kid show is focused on Santa’s arrival very soon. Even small babies appear unsettled on Xmas Eve; the whole world is a buzz with emotional energy. This electric excitement can make it very hard for Toddlers to settle down for the evening.
Is it early to bed best?
Some parents allow their children go to bed early on Xmas Eve because this is the only night in their entire year that they really want too; the quicker they go to sleep the quicker they get their gifts for Xmas. Toddlers also know you have to be asleep before Santa will drop in your presents; this knowledge puts more pressure on them; which of course has the opposite effect. The more they try to sleep; the more awake they feel. Some children begin to panic thinking they will never go to sleep; which in turn raises their heart rate and makes it harder for them to settle down.
Change of Xmas Eve Bedtime Plan
After going through three toddler Xmas Eves with very little sleep for myself, my children and Santa; I decided I would try a different approach. Instead of allowing the Toddlers to go to bed very early (or planning for them too); I plan an evening of activities away from the home. On the way home (usually after midnight mass) we search the skies and always see Santa and his reindeers; they are so tired when they get home and know that Santa is on his way; they fall asleep. This approach has definitely got them to sleep earlier than when we have sat at home for the evening waiting for them to go to sleep. Allowing them to stay up so late means an after noon nap is ok and the longer they sleep the less grumpy they will be Xmas Eve and the late night will not effect their behavior for Xmas day.. I always remind them that I know Santa well and have a good idea about what time he is expected at our house so they don’t worry too much about how late we are out. I have drinks with Santa every year.
Drinks with Santa
There are quite a few pluses letting your children know that you have drinks with Santa every Xmas Eve. It alleviates any worries your children suddenly get about some thing they remember doing wrong. In my experience it there are quite a lot of naughty behavior a few days before Xmas; the excitement just gets too much. It also explains why you are still awake at 3.00am when they sneak out to see what all the noise is. You can say; ‘quickly; Santa is here; don’t let him see you!’.
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