The holiday season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but for families with neurodivergent children, it can also be the most overwhelming. The disruption of routines, sensory overload from bright lights and new decorations, and the pressure of social gatherings can be a lot for kids who thrive on predictability. One TikTok mom’s viral video, however, is providing parents with practical, easy-to-implement strategies to bring back the calm and keep the magic.
A Gentle Approach
In a video that has resonated with thousands, a creator named Emily (@breezingthroughblog) shares her family’s approach to making the holidays more manageable and joyful. Her tips focus on gently easing into the season rather than diving headfirst into the festive chaos.
Decorating at a Comfortable Pace
One of Emily’s key suggestions is to decorate early and slowly. Instead of transforming the house overnight, she introduces decorations gradually. This gives children time to adjust to the new items in their environment, reducing the shock and sensory input. As one user commented in appreciation, “Great video! I decorate slowly so the kids adjust to each stage.”
Creating a Kid-Friendly Environment
Emily also advocates for kid-friendly decor. She chooses items that can be touched and played with, like soft festive pillows or durable nativity scenes. By keeping fragile ornaments and breakables out of reach, she creates a “yes” space where kids can explore the new decorations without constant warnings.
This approach fosters a sense of inclusion and fun, allowing children to interact with the holiday environment on their own terms.
A Different Take on Gift-Opening
Perhaps one of her most impactful tips is to rethink the tradition of opening all presents on one day. Emily suggests spreading out the gift-opening throughout the month. This simple change reduces the intense pressure and excitement that can lead to meltdowns on Christmas morning. She advises getting extended family on board with the plan, explaining that it helps your child truly enjoy each gift without feeling overwhelmed.
Gift wrapping gets a neurodivergent-friendly makeover, too. Instead of complicated bows and tricky tape, Emily opts for simple wrapping that her kids can open independently. This small adjustment empowers them and avoids unnecessary frustration.
Keeping Routines Consistent
Maintaining a sense of routine is another cornerstone of her advice. To help with this, she suggests using a countdown chain so kids can visually track how many days are left until the holiday.
She also keeps a consistent schedule for things like turning holiday lights on and off at the same time each day. This predictability provides a comforting anchor amidst the season’s changes.
The response to Emily’s video has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents have flooded the comments with gratitude, while many adults have also shared their own experiences. One commenter wrote, “I too get overwhelmed by the decorations being out. I can handle about 2-3 weeks of Christmas decor.” For many, adults and kids alike, the holidays can be an overstimulating time. Accommodations like the ones in this video can benefit everyone, not just children.
@breezingthroughblog The Holidays can be hard for neurodivergent people, especially kids! These are a few things we have found that work for having a smooth holiday season and making it the most enjoyable for our family. Items we use are linked on my site, LTK and Amazon Store front #christmas #holidays #neurodivergentholidays #autism #adhd #neurodivergentfamily ♬ Love – Revember
Embracing Flexible Traditions
Emily’s advice serves as a great reminder that creating holiday magic doesn’t require following a specific set of rules, from generation to generation. It’s about knowing your children, understanding their needs, and building traditions that work for your unique family. By tailoring the season to fit our kids, we can ensure the holidays are truly a time of joy, connection, and peace for everyone.
