Encore Episode: Kid-Friendly Holidays

Kids get excited while parents are stressed over the winter holidays. How do you manage the holidays while still making sure they’re enjoyable despite the activity?

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First, manage your child’s expectations. Instead of a list of every possible thing they want, ask them to narrow it down to what’s most important to them. Talk about that thing and what is realistic and appropriate but will still enjoyable for your kid.

Second, help your child think about others. Take a laundry basket through the house with your child and collect up toys and games that aren’t often used. Discuss how these toys can benefit others who aren’t as fortunate.

Additionally, encourage mindfulness. Embody the season with activities that create a great family time. Schedule it but don’t stress out about it. Decorating a gingerbread house, baking cookies or viewing holiday lights in the neighborhood can be very enjoyable. Be present and put devices aside as you share the activity.

Listen as Dr. Corinn Cross joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to make the holidays kid-friendly.

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Featuring:

Corinn Cross, MD

Dr. Corinn Cross was born and raised in New Jersey. She attended Barnard College where she graduated cum laude and majored in philosophy. She went on to attend the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, NJ, where she was selected for the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Cross did her internship and residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Cross has continued to work at CHLA as a general pediatrics attending.

Dr. Cross is actively involved in her local AAP, Chapter 2, where she is an obesity champion. She is co-founder of the Fit to Play and Learn Obesity Prevention curriculum. Through a collaboration between AAP Chapter 2 and the L.A. Unified School District this curriculum is being used to educate at-risk students and their parents on the risks of obesity and to help them to lead healthier lives. Dr. Cross is an AAP Spokesperson and speaks to children throughout the L.A. school district about obesity, healthy lifestyles and the benefits of walking to school.

Dr. Cross is a member of the Executive Board for the AAP's Council on Communications and Media. She is the Editor of the Council on Communications and Media's blog.