Top tips for conquering Christmas for sensitive kids

I talk to lots of mums whose sensitive kids struggle with behavioural and sensory problems. Defiance, poor focus, and hyperactivity, go with sensitivity to smells, textures and tastes. And they really want to know how they can help their kids, and themselves, have a calmer, happier home.

And this troubled behaviour and sensitivity seems to get worse at Christmas and birthday parties and the like. Anywhere where there is different food and an excitable atmosphere.

I have been through this so completely with our Maksy. I just re-read a blog from Christmas 6 years ago, when we had begun the food intolerance journey, but definitely hadn’t cracked it yet! He had a horrendous Christmas that year, spending a whole night writhing and screaming in pain from what he’d eaten. Read the full story here.

What to do to help sensitive kids

I don’t want anyone to go through that! It’s so hard to see your little ones struggling with life, so I am sharing my tips for getting through the holiday season, managing the symptoms and finding solutions for the future!

1. avoid additives, especially the 100s (colours), 200s (preservatives) and 600s (MSG and flavours), and for some people the 300s too (acids). Check labels, go for things with less ingredients and less numbers. Take something homemade to friends and family that you know your kids love. Or try baking these healthy biccies.
2. let kids choose what they eat at gatherings. Bring along something they love, and don’t force them to try something new if they don’t want to. Kids are much more in tune with their intuition than adults, and often avoid or dislike the things that don’t agree with them. (Conversely, sometimes they crave them too, so it can be complicated.)
3. remember to feed them again later! Kids don’t gorge themselves like adults at lunch time. They need another meal or snack at their normal dinner time, before the wheels fall off. While we are relaxing, their blood sugar is dropping, so have something easy like their usual favourite dinner, if they won’t want leftovers.
4. give them permission to take time out. All humans, even adults, need time to recharge and calm our senses, especially at Christmas. Kids learn by observing, so if we show good habits around taking time for ourselves, they will see its ok to do the same. A little quiet time with a book or even TV or iPad can help to recharge after all the overwhelm.
5. if meltdowns occur, change the energy – get away from the scene, jump in the pool, or get them to splash water on their face to stop the pattern that’s occurring. Lead them away from others and the overwhelm and sit with them calmly until they feel safe and settle down. Show them that you are there, and that you will listen to their side of the story. Then rejoin the group when they feel better, or let them stay a while on their own if they prefer.

If you find these tips apply to you and your kids, then maybe the new year is time to find some solutions.

Next steps and solutions

Figuring out which foods cause a reaction is the first step. Next, I help families with the gut healing that’s necessary to prevent food intolerance in the future. Plus we meal plan based on what your kids like and dislike. And we add in the good stuff and make sure there is a balance of protein, veg, good fats and complex carbs. Sounds simple, and it can be. But it does take time and commitment. So let’s get started in January!

Find answers and support with my Sensitive Kids Starter pack

Book a Sensitive Kids Starter pack, which includes:

• a 1.5 hour initial consult looking at health history, current diet and primary symptoms
• a food, symptom and stool diary for you to complete, which will allow me to interpret which foods may be causing reactions
• 2 x 1 hour consults to make diet changes to increase nutrients and decrease reactions
• an option to do ALCAT allergy testing or IgG food intolerance testing to get definitive results and fast track the process
• a guide to food elimination and challenges to test which foods are causing a reaction and how much can be tolerated
• 3 x Healy scans to help pinpoint areas in the body that need support
• 3 x 1 hour Healy vibrational healings sent remotely. To read more about Quantum vibrational healing check out this site.
• unlimited email contact and questions answered within 1-2 business days.
• guidelines for next steps and emotional support for mum/dad/carer.
• all for $277 (less than the cost of 2 consults)

So, let’s get through Christmas, then send me an email and tell me all those stories of out of control behaviour! And tell me you’re ready to make a change.

Talk to you in January. I have consults available Mon, Wed and Thur from 5 Jan 2022 for the Sensitive Kids Starter Pack. I am here to help you find the relief, support and solutions you crave.