Family
Tips for Parents to Minimize Stress and Maximize Joy During the Holidays
Last Updated on December 11, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Tips for Parents to Minimize Stress and Maximize Joy During the Holidays
(Family Features) Stress and parenting go hand in hand, but during the holiday season, many parents find their stress levels rising to new heights. Between coordinating schedules, shopping, traveling and managing children’s expectations – plus the disruption to the school routine that everyone had finally settled into – the season can feel more like mayhem than merry.
However, by thoughtfully planning and implementing a few practical strategies, parents can protect their well-being and support their families. Early childhood experts from The Goddard School share guidance to help parents stay grounded and make the most of their meaningful family moments this holiday season.
Clarify Priorities
One of the most empowering steps is to decide in advance what truly matters to your family. Consider:
- Which traditions or gatherings are nonnegotiable?
- Are there holiday events you can skip this year without regret?
- What obligations are you taking on out of habit rather than genuine desire?
By reducing the number of “must-do” activities, you can avoid overextending your family. It’s OK to decline invitations when your calendar is already full.
Establish a Budget
Holiday spending can weigh heavily on your mind. Create a family holiday budget that includes gifts and activities, then stick to it. Use the opportunity to teach your children about responsible spending and gratitude. Remember, the most meaningful gifts are often those made with time, attention or creativity, not the highest price tag.
Set Boundaries
Stress often arises when family dynamics, expectations or traditions clash. You can reduce this by setting boundaries and communicating them early. Speak openly with the relatives and friends you’ll see about what’s comfortable for your family and what isn’t (e.g., physical space, travel, topics to avoid). Let your children know what to expect, as the lack of routine during this time can be particularly challenging. Modeling clear boundaries helps your children learn to express their own needs, too.
Prioritize Your Physical and Emotional Health
Amid the hustle, your own basic care often slips, but your well-being is key to being present for others. Consider establishing routines, such as:
- Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours per night whenever possible.
- Nutrition: Keep healthy staples in the mix, even if treats abound.
- Movement: A short walk, stretch breaks or gentle exercise may help reset your nervous system. Stepping outside can be especially helpful.
Also, if illness strikes, listen to your body and give yourself permission to pause. Pushing through tends to backfire.
Design a Stress Rescue Plan
Even the best-laid plans don’t prevent tension or unexpected emotional triggers. Anticipate stress by creating fallback strategies. For example, plan to use a playlist, a quick breathing exercise or a sensory object to help you regroup when your stress escalates. These strategies work for children as well.
If you’re worried about unwanted questions – such as a family member asking about politics or your plans to have another child – rehearse your response in advance with a friend. When these stressful moments arise, having a toolkit gives you a sense of control.
Unplug and Be Present
Screens are omnipresent. While they serve a purpose, they can be an unwelcome distraction, especially when you’re spending time with loved ones you don’t get to see often. Try to designate screen-free times, such as during meals, after dinner or when gifts are being exchanged. Use screens intentionally, such as video calling out-of-town family members, rather than passively scrolling. Focus on in-person connection by playing games, telling stories, making crafts or taking walks. Remember to lead by example, as your children are watching. Being fully present at key moments is the one gift your family will remember above all else.
As the holidays approach, the pressure to do it all can loom large. By clarifying priorities, setting boundaries and safeguarding your health, you can minimize stress and maximize joy. That said, even with careful planning, things can go off course, and that’s OK. Practice self-compassion and allow for imperfections. Enjoy every laugh, surprise and even the occasional moment of calm.
For more parenting guidance and insights, including a blog and webinar series, visit the Parent Resource Center at GoddardSchool.com.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
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The Goddard School
The Power of Curiosity: Building More Engaged Learners
(Feature Impact)Young children are naturally curious. They ask endless questions, investigate their surroundings and constantly test how the world works. While that curiosity can leave parents feeling exhausted or overwhelmed, it’s one of the most important drivers of early learning and development.
Curiosity helps children build confidence, develop critical thinking skills and become more engaged learners. Dr. Lauren Loquasto, senior vice president and chief academic officer at The Goddard School, and Mary-Alice Moore, president of Highlights for Children, share why curiosity matters and how parents can nurture it.
Why Curiosity Matters
Curiosity is the engine that drives learning for young children. When they are interested in a topic, they become more motivated to explore, ask questions and seek solutions. That process strengthens important skills such as attention, working memory, flexible thinking and problem-solving. It also helps develop confidence.
For young learners, confidence does not come from always knowing the answer; it comes from believing they can find it. Children who are encouraged to explore their interests and investigate new ideas learn that questions are valuable and discovery is rewarding. These experiences lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
Curiosity Evolves as Children Grow
Curiosity looks different at each stage of development. For infants, it’s largely sensory. They learn by touching, tasting, listening and observing people and objects around them.
Toddlers often express curiosity through movement and repetition. Climbing, stacking, dumping, filling and repeating the same activity helps them understand how things work and builds their sense of control.
Preschoolers and kindergarteners become natural investigators. Their frequent “why” and “how” questions reflect a growing desire to understand relationships, solve problems and make sense of new experiences and the world around them.
As children grow, the role of adults evolves as well. Parents move from primarily protecting and guiding children to fostering environments that encourage exploration and independent thinking.
Follow Your Child’s Interests
One of the most effective ways to nurture curiosity is to pay attention to what naturally captures your child’s attention. Whether they’re fascinated by vehicles, animals or building structures, those interests can become powerful learning opportunities. When children are engaged in topics they enjoy, attention and persistence often develop organically.
Consider what causes your child to lose track of time. Those interests provide important clues about what motivates and excites them. Rather than rushing to provide answers, encourage deeper thinking by asking open-ended questions that invite them to explore their own ideas and observations.
Parents Don’t Need All the Answers
Many parents feel pressure to have answers for every question their child asks. In reality, one of the best responses is often “I don’t know. Let’s find out together.”
This models curiosity and shows your child that learning continues throughout life. It also transforms questions into shared experiences and opportunities for discovery. Encourage your child to remain engaged and curious using simple phrases such as:
- “That’s an interesting question.”
- “What do you think?”
- “Let’s investigate.”
If you’re unable to respond immediately, it’s important to acknowledge the question and return to it later. Following up communicates your child’s ideas and questions are valuable.
Setting Boundaries
Curiosity should be encouraged, but safe boundaries remain essential. When children become interested in something unsafe, simply saying “no” may stop the behavior, but it does little to support learning. Instead, explain why something is unsafe and redirect curiosity toward an appropriate alternative.
For example, if your child wants to explore knives, explain knives can hurt people then offer safe cooking tools or supervised kitchen activities to investigate instead.
Using Technology
Technology can play a positive role in nurturing curiosity when it’s used to extend real-world experiences rather than replace them.
After spotting a ladybug at the park, for example, a child might use videos or age-appropriate digital resources to learn more about insects. The real-world encounter sparks curiosity and technology helps deepen learning.
By listening, encouraging exploration and demonstrating curiosity yourself, you can help your child develop skills that extend far beyond the early years. For more parenting guidance, visit the Parent Resource Center at GoddardSchool.com. Visit Highlights.com for magazines, books and resources for parents and educators.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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How Invasive Pests Spread and How You Can Help Stop Them
(Feature Impact) Invasive pests can hide in places you’d never expect, and once they spread, they can destroy the trees, plants and food people rely on every day. These pests pose a serious threat to agriculture, forests, ecosystems and the food supply. Many invasive species cannot travel far on their own; instead people unknowingly move them from place to place.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, invasive pests hitchhike on everyday items such as plants, produce, firewood, vehicles and outdoor equipment. That makes many common activities – from traveling and online shopping to camping and gardening – potential “pathways” for invasive pests to move and reach new areas. Understanding these pathways is the first step to stopping pests before they spread.
Traveling Abroad
When you travel abroad and return from another country, the agricultural items you bring back can introduce new invasive pests into the U.S. and threaten crops or trees that have no natural defenses against them. Even harmless-looking fruit, seed packets or souvenirs made with plant materials can carry pests such as fruit flies and diseases like citrus canker. That’s why it’s critical travelers declare food, plants and other agricultural products when entering the country from abroad.
Shopping Online
Just because you can order seeds and plants from sellers around the world, it doesn’t mean those items are legal or safe to import. In fact, some invasive snails and plant diseases have entered the U.S. this way. Many agricultural products from overseas require permits, inspections or special paperwork before they can enter the country. Buyers should check where an item ships from, learn the import requirements before purchasing and make sure sellers follow all labeling and shipping rules.
Partaking in Outdoor Activities
When you spend time outdoors hiking, camping, hunting or fishing, you could inadvertently spread invasive species. For example, transporting firewood from one location to another can spread tree-killing insects, such as the emerald ash borer, which can live inside the wood and emerge later in a new area. The safest choice is to buy or use firewood where you burn it. Additionally, clean all outdoor clothing, gear, equipment and vehicles before leaving an area.
Moving Outdoor Equipment
When you move to a new home, your move can create another opportunity for invasive insects to travel. Before relocating patio furniture, grills, trailers or lawn equipment, inspect and clean them carefully. Look for insects, plant debris and egg masses like spotted lanternfly egg masses, which can blend into outdoor surfaces and look like smears of mud or clumps of dirt. A few minutes of checking and cleaning before you move can help prevent pests from invading your new neighborhood.
Invasive pests cost the U.S. billions of dollars every year and damage forests, farms, parks and backyards. Stopping invasive pests starts with simple steps anyone can take: checking what you pack, clean, move and buy. When everyone does their part, fewer pests spread and communities stay healthier and more resilient.
Visit aphis.usda.gov/hungrypests to learn more about how invasive pests spread and the simple steps you can take to help stop them and protect America’s agriculture and natural resources.
Invasive Pest Protection Checklist
- Declare all food, plants and agricultural items when returning from another country.
- When ordering items online, check where the products ship from and verify U.S. import rules before buying.
- If you’re camping, buy firewood where you plan to burn it. Clean clothing, gear and vehicles before leaving.
- Before moving to a new home, inspect outdoor furniture and equipment, looking closely for egg masses or insects.
Content courtesy of USDA.
SOURCE:
United States Department of Agriculture
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Food and Beverage
Back-to-School Sandwiches to Nourish Kids’ Bodies and Minds
Back-to-School Sandwiches: When you picture a schoolchild sitting down at a cafeteria table and opening their lunchbox, you’re probably already imagining there’s a sandwich inside. For a nutritious lunch, pack this Ham, Turkey, Bacon and Cheese Pocket. Some school days call for simple, fun comfort food, and that’s where the Fluffernutter comes in.
Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Feature Impact) When you picture a schoolchild sitting down at a cafeteria table and opening their lunchbox, you’re probably already imagining there’s a sandwich inside. After all, it’s a classic back-to-school staple that parents rely on for ease, convenience and nutrition when they’re trying to get everyone out the door on time – all you have to do is put bread and fillings together, and you’re good to go. That, of course, only leaves the question of which bread and fillings to choose.
A new survey conducted by Atomik Research on behalf of Nature’s Own indicated that modern parents care a lot about nutrition when deciding which kind of bread to buy, with 88% of survey respondents agreeing that feeding their kids wholesome bread feels like an easy parenting win.
With clean, simple ingredients that balance taste and nutrition, Nature’s Own bread supports an attainably healthy lifestyle for busy families. Whether you choose a classic white bread, reach for a whole-wheat loaf or need to account for dietary restrictions, you can feel confident you’re selecting bread that’s free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
For a nutritious lunch that fits the bill for 85% of parents who show strong interest in breads made with whole grains, pack this Ham, Turkey, Bacon and Cheese Pocket made with honey wheat bread. The flavorful mixture of deli meats and American cheese baked to perfection make every bite satisfying. Consider getting the whole family involved assembly-line style to make multiple batches at once, cutting down on time in the kitchen during the week ahead while encouraging learning opportunities as kids count ingredients and measure fillings.
Some school days call for simple, fun comfort food, and that’s where the Fluffernutter comes in. Soft bread, creamy peanut butter and fluffy marshmallow make for a combination that nourishes kids of all ages not just physically, but emotionally. Whether you pack it as a lunchbox surprise or have it ready as an after-school treat, this is a sandwich that promises sweetness and nostalgia – a perfect fit for the 78% of parents who agreed that sandwiches are a canvas for small moments of care, like notes in lunch bags.
Since sandwiches are so customizable, you can easily adapt these recipes to your family’s unique preferences and needs. Whether you decide to use different seasonings or swap to a multigrain bread, there’s no such thing as a wrong sandwich decision as long as it works for you.
To view ingredients and decide what kind of loaf you want to stock up on during the school year, visit naturesownbread.com.
Ham, Turkey, Bacon and Cheese Pocket
- 8 slices Nature’s Own Honey Wheat Bread
- 1/4 pound deli turkey
- 1/4 pound deli ham
- 4 slices cooked bacon
- 4 slices white American cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Chop turkey, ham and bacon and toss together. Set aside.
- Using knife, cut off crust on each piece of bread.
- With rolling pin, roll and flatten each slice of crustless bread. Take four slices and place spoonful of chopped meats in middle of each slice. Top with broken slices of cheese.
- Place remaining slices of crustless bread on top of each pocket.
- In small bowl, crack egg and add water. Beat together. Dip fork into egg mixture and crimp each edge of pocket until two slices are sealed together. Repeat on each pocket. Brush top of each pocket with remaining egg mixture and sprinkle salt on top.
- Place on sheet pan and bake until golden brown, 7-10 minutes.
- Let cool a few minutes and enjoy.
Fluffernutter Sandwich
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 slices Nature’s Own Butterbread
- 2 tablespoons marshmallow fluff
- Spread peanut butter on one bread slice. Spread marshmallow fluff on second slice. Put both slices together to form sandwich.
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