Early Years (2-6)

When you’re a parent, the holidays can be the best of times and the worst of times. Sure, you have the fun of creating magical moments for your child and seeing his eyes light up with wonder. But you also have to play Scrooge, insisting on wholesome meals and reasonable bedtimes in the midst of all the holiday mayhem. Now sprinkle in a few overnight guests, a couple of company parties, a double handful of holiday shopping and a delusional promise to host this year’s holiday feast for 20, and you have a recipe for disaster.

    Unless it’s too late to back out of an overloaded schedule of activities, grab your red pen and start slashing away at your to-do list. It’s easy to get carried away, but understand you’re no Grinch if you choose sanity instead of a harried holiday. That being said, there will be parties to attend, guests to welcome and gifts to purchase. There will also be infants with ear infections and toddlers who slip up on potty training. Real life doesn’t cease to be real just because the Christmas lights are up on the house. The best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to make priorities, set boundaries and insist on downtime. (It may also help to stock up on eggnog!)

Ding-dong!
    If you’re planning to host an out-of-town friend or relative, fill them in on your daily routine so you keep surprises under the tree where they belong. Plan outings before and after naptime, or let your guest know he or she is welcome to borrow your car and strike out alone. Sort out the sleeping arrangements in advance, whether this means preparing a guest room or purchasing a comfortable air mattress. If you have an infant who wakes up during the night or is an early riser, offer the use of a white-noise

machine and you’ll avoid the need to apologize for a string of sleepless nights. Cut corners at dinnertime by firing up the crock pot. Stock up on no-cook breakfast options, such as cereal, yogurt and toaster waffles.
    
Party time
    Holiday parties are supposed to be fun, but we all know they rarely live up to expectations. If it’s a nighttime event, splurge on a babysitter and leave the kids nestled in their beds. Treat yourself to a fun party dress and let your hair down. Simply having to show up for a party on someone else’s turf should feel like the treat it is, so let this be your “date night” for the month and enjoy.

    If you’re hosting the fete, keep it simple. Steer clear of all those holiday magazines that suggest you should make everything from gourmet desserts to custom decorations. The point of getting together with friends and family is to spend quality time with them, not scurrying around playing the “Hostess with the Mostest.” Plan to kick off festivities after naptime, so that your baby is in his best mood and don’t be shy about shooing loitering partiers out the door when it’s time for your family to retire for the evening. (I always use tub time as a cue to visitors that the party is over.)

Really GREAT holiday shopping tips
    When it comes to shopping, again, don’t overdo it. Gift cards are a great time saver and are appropriate for nearly everyone on your list. Shop more manageable strip malls and boutique stores to avoid the madness of large retail centers. Make those inevitable trips to the mall more like an adventure by taking your time and enjoying the perks that come with large-scale holiday shopping. Point out the dramatic decorations to your baby. Sit in common areas and let your toddler run wild. Snap a few candid shots at the North Pole – you don’t have to wait in line to get a little fake snow in the background. Take in a light lunch or at least refuel with hot cocoa for you and a sippy cup of milk for Junior. 

    Another benefit of mall shopping is the ubiquitous wrapping booth often manned by volunteers working for a good cause. And speaking of good causes, don’t forget to let your little one drop a donation in the Salvation Army bucket as you leave. It’s a simple way to teach one of the season’s most valuable lessons. m

    S. Danyelle Knight is a contributing writer.

Getting started
   By Michele Piazzoni

> Seattle doctors are hoping a simple hearing test may help identify kids at risk for SIDS. A recent study shows an inner-ear abnormality was consistently found in infants who died of SIDS. Researchers are hoping further studies will help them learn how such an abnormality may or may not contribute to infant deaths.

> Flu season, traditionally, peaks next month, and if you haven’t already taken your children in for their shots, you may be in for a surprise. This year’s recommendations include 2 shots for infants who are being vaccinated for the first time, followed by a single dose in subsequent years. Children who received only 1 dose in their first year are also recommended to get 2 shots this year. A study showed that children who received the double dose their first or second year decrease their risk of influenza by more than 50%.

> Don’t let your guard down just because summer is over. A recent report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, between 2002 and 2004, says more than 300 children under 5 died in non-pool drownings. And 80% of them were under 2. The most common source for drowning was children left unattended in bathtubs.

> Worried about the effect that prolonged breastfeeding may have on your baby’s teeth? A recent National Health and Nutrition Examination study shows no link between breastfeeding and dental worries among kids ages 2 to 5. In fact, maternal smoking was more likely to increase the risk of tooth decay. m