Skip to main content

Advertising Disclaimer »

Main menu

  • Journals
    • Pediatrics
    • Hospital Pediatrics
    • Pediatrics in Review
    • NeoReviews
    • AAP Grand Rounds
    • AAP News
  • AAP Policy
    • Topic/Program Collections
    • Policy
  • Pediatric Collections
    • COVID-19
    • Racism and Its Effect on Pediatric Health
    • More Collections...
  • Multimedia
    • Video Abstracts
    • Pediatrics On Call Podcast
  • Alerts
    • Table of Contents
    • Insights
  • AAP Career Center
  • Subscribe
  • Other Publications
    • American Academy of Pediatrics

User menu

  • Log in
  • My Cart

Search

  • Advanced search
American Academy of Pediatrics

AAP Gateway

Advanced Search

AAP Logo

  • Log in
  • My Cart
  • Journals
    • Pediatrics
    • Hospital Pediatrics
    • Pediatrics in Review
    • NeoReviews
    • AAP Grand Rounds
    • AAP News
  • AAP Policy
    • Topic/Program Collections
    • Policy
  • Pediatric Collections
    • COVID-19
    • Racism and Its Effect on Pediatric Health
    • More Collections...
  • Multimedia
    • Video Abstracts
    • Pediatrics On Call Podcast
  • Alerts
    • Table of Contents
    • Insights
  • AAP Career Center
  • Subscribe

Don’t let pandemic put damper on holiday season

Trisha Korioth, Staff Writer
December 01, 2020
  • Parent Plus

The holiday season usually is a joyful time. Families look forward to gathering with relatives and friends, exchanging gifts and celebrating traditions. But the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new kind of stress this year.

Even if your family does not know someone who is affected by the virus, your child’s stress could increase this holiday season due to hardships from the pandemic. For example:

  • Job loss, homelessness or not enough food. Find out if you can get food assistance at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/.
  • A parent or caregiver with mental health, substance use or health issues. For help with mental health and/or substance use disorders, call 1-800-662-HELP.
  • Frontline workers (e.g., police officer, firefighter, doctor, nurse, grocery store or restaurant worker) and those who have problems with remote work and learning.
  • Racial or ethnic minority groups, children with special health care needs or those with mental health conditions.
  • Families grieving the loss of a loved one.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) urges parents to watch for signs that your child is struggling. Get help if symptoms last more than two weeks.

  • An infant or young child clings to parents or has feeding and sleep problems.
  • A preschooler starts sucking her thumb or wetting the bed.
  • An older child is fearful, anxious, withdrawn, argues more, is more aggressive or complains of stomachaches or headaches.
  • A teen gets into trouble or can’t focus. Teens might hide problems because they are afraid or don’t want to burden their family.

Often, a caring adult or friend can help a child or teen manage stress. The AAP suggests sticking to routines as much as possible, exercising, eating healthy foods and getting plenty of sleep. Limit how much time you and your kids spend on screens. And avoid the pressure to spend a lot on gifts.

To keep the season positive during the pandemic, talk with kids about culture, heritage, values and spiritual beliefs. The AAP also suggests parents show children ways to give to others. When children learn to share their time or talent with those who have less, they build resilience that will last long after the pandemic is over.

Related Content
  • Additional Parent Plus columns
Copyright © 2020 American Academy of Pediatrics

Advertising Disclaimer »

Download PDF
Email News Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on American Academy of Pediatrics.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Don’t let pandemic put damper on holiday season
(Your Name) has sent you a message from American Academy of Pediatrics
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the American Academy of Pediatrics web site.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Share
Don’t let pandemic put damper on holiday season
Trisha Korioth
December 01, 2020
del.icio.us logo Digg logo Reddit logo Twitter logo CiteULike logo Facebook logo Google logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One
  • Digital Edition Current Issue
  • Latest Daily News
  • Archives
  • Collections
  • Columns
  • Advertising
  • Subscribe to AAP News Magazine
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • 2021 AAP Journals Catalog
  • Pediatrics
  • Pediatrics in Review
  • Hospital Pediatrics
  • NeoReviews
  • AAP Grand Rounds
  • AAP Career Center
  • shopAAP
  • AAP.org
  • AAP News
  • Visit AAP News on Facebook
  • Follow AAP News on Twitter
American Academy of Pediatrics

© 2021 American Academy of Pediatrics