Hellobee Boards Topic: Do you parent differently during the holidays?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Do you parent differently during the holidays? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 20:53:10 +0000 Greentea on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2666115 Thu, 15 Dec 2016 17:51:35 +0000 Greentea 2666115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @travelingnanny: that sounds awful! We all love being used to massage our parent's ego :silly: Rocker2014 on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2666087 Thu, 15 Dec 2016 17:03:01 +0000 Rocker2014 2666087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Nope...but I probably would if it made any sense. LO is 2 and can be counted on to completely fall apart if we push bedtime even 20 minutes later than usual. She's also not really into sweets (no idea where she gets that!) so even if more treats are offered she's not likely to actually eat them. Weirdly, DH is looking forward to her getting a little older in hopes that he can "spoil" her a bit more with holiday fun! gingerbebe on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2666054 Thu, 15 Dec 2016 16:33:01 +0000 gingerbebe 2666054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ DS1 we stuck very strictly to his schedule because he has a high strung personality and he needs his rest or he's a bear. At 2 we can be a little more flexible now with nap and bedtime, but as a baby, no way. He gets more treats and restaurant food this time of year for sure, but we really try not to go too nuts because he's a very routine driven kid. DS2 is our mellow baby and he's able to be really flexible but we try not to take advantage of it too much and try to get his naps when he needs them. I don't nurse on demand or nurse to pacify typically (he doesn't need it at home) but I will with travel or to keep him content when he's tired and fussy. travelingnanny on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665600 Thu, 15 Dec 2016 07:15:48 +0000 travelingnanny 2665600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @greentea-I'm sure they meant in every aspect. This was the example they gave: Person A- X just started soccer this year. Person B- Y does soccer too. Person A- How many goals does your child get per game? Then it ends with them having their children play a game of soccer outside because the parents are being super competitive. autumnlove on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665573 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 23:57:04 +0000 autumnlove 2665573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I am more lenient about bedtime and special treats. gentlelunette on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665542 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 20:41:05 +0000 gentlelunette 2665542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I find I let a few things go around the holidays (less emphasis on strict nap times, healthy well balanced meals, lol) because I figure it's just one day every once in awhile and we have time to recoup afterward. As far as behaviour goes, DH and I are super consistent with our parenting, and our daughter is so well behaved (21 months) that I don't find that I have to change much. caterw on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665528 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 19:42:18 +0000 caterw 2665528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I definitely let some food stuff slide- I really enjoy making/ decorating cookies, drinking hot chocolate, doing an advent calendar, and decorating a gingerbread house so DD gets more sugar than normal. She has to eat healthy meals still so I feel that she will survive as long as she brushes her teeth... We require the same polite, obedient behavior from her as usual and I try to stick to nap time/ bedtime but I do let her stay up late on occasion. LilSprinkles on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665515 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 19:09:16 +0000 LilSprinkles 2665515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I act the same whether it's the Holidays or not. Greentea on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665451 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 16:21:55 +0000 Greentea 2665451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @travelingnanny: one up with behavior, or material things or both? Greentea on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665448 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 16:20:41 +0000 Greentea 2665448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ That's weird, rivalry... definitely not into that and no, we don't parent differently. I'm obviously a free sprit, or a renegade you could say :silly: quite frankly I don't give a damn and I feel good about my parenting. (Which is always a work in progress.) Cole on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665404 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 15:03:21 +0000 Cole 2665404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Anagram: We run into the same thing. We are gone for a week and will sleep in three or four different places. We literally shake her while world upside down so I cut her a lot of slack. She also only sees her grandparents, aunts and uncles a few times a year so when they slide her a cookie I pretend not to see. I try hard to keep her schedule predictable and I always run to the grocery store to stock up on her favorite healthy foods so I know she'll eat, it's not the time for me to insist on her eating what/when we eat, especially since my mil seems to think my 2 year old should be cool with a 7pm dinner... ShootingStar on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665398 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 14:52:37 +0000 ShootingStar 2665398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yeah, I think it happens sometimes when other people are around where I'm more likely to give than to have a fight. Sometimes it can feel like my parenting methods are on display when I don't give into things and it becomes a big deal. Mama Bird on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665387 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 14:35:28 +0000 Mama Bird 2665387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Mostly the same, but of course there's a lot more candy, and bedtime goes out the window. Not happy about the bedtime, but so far I haven't managed to break free of our obligation to spend the holidays at my parents' and it's quite a long trip to get back home. fancyfunction on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665378 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 14:23:42 +0000 fancyfunction 2665378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Not really - just a bit more giving with the treats esp since M's bday falls between Thanksgiving and Xmas. mediagirl on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665376 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 14:19:15 +0000 mediagirl 2665376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Not really. Honestly, working a full time job keeps me so busy that I don't have time to parent differently at any time of the year. I see my brother and his family once a year and it's never at Christmas. We don't really see any other family during the holidays other than my parents so there's nothing to do that's different. Foodnerd81 on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665373 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 14:14:26 +0000 Foodnerd81 2665373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My 3 year old is definitely already getting more treats than usual, including a chocolate from her advent calendar every day, occasionally at breakfast. Otherwise not to much. She tends to behave better when everyone is around because it's more attention on her, and she acts out to get attention, so this way she doesn't have to. But then when everyone leaves or it's time for bed she behaves worse. I yell less in front of other people but that's probably a good thing... And meals- I let her have bigger healthy snacks before meals even though I know it might spoil her appetite. But I also know she probably won't eat much of the regular meal so I'd rather her fill up on cheese sticks before dinner than cranberry sauce and rolls during dinner. Adira on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665348 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 13:06:39 +0000 Adira 2665348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm more lenient when it comes to bedtime, skipping naps (for my older one), and treats. But other than that, I think I'm pretty consistent. They are still required to say "please" and "thankful" and be respectful and polite (as much as you can expect from a 2 and almost 4 year old). But I'll let them have that extra piece of candy after dinner and stay up a little later. Anagram on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665346 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 13:05:55 +0000 Anagram 2665346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We always travel over the holidays, so I'm a lot more forgiving in general. It's not the kids' faults we're suddenly surrounded by more people and they aren't in their typical house. I do try to keep their sleep schedules close to normal. But I don't worry as much about their food. At home, I'm anti snack and pro 3-square-meals and 3 veg and fruit a day. When we are traveling, I'm just happy to get them to eat since they are so distracted with cousins around. Mrs. Pickle on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665339 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 12:40:22 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2665339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm more lenient with her schedule and treats. I'm going to push bedtime late on Friday so we can go to Zoo Lights for example. I also don't care if she gets more cookies or candy than she usually does. Truth Bombs on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665332 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 12:32:36 +0000 Truth Bombs 2665332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm more lenient in terms of bed time, special treats, etc. There are a lot of magical things about the holidays that don't "fit" into the typical schedule of having a 4 year old and a 1 year old. I'm willing to make room for those things because they bring joy to my family. That being said, I am NOT more lenient on listening to parents and being respectful, etc. Behavior is expected to be the same. I'm in TN so the Bobby Bones show is big here but I actually can't stand him. His entire personality is one big humblebrag. I have a few friends who know him through other friends and say that's exactly how he is in person too. Also, none of them are parents... so they have no basis for this conversation. looch on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665329 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 12:27:36 +0000 looch 2665329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I am just as strict, my poor kid. I don't allow him to stay up, miss bedtime or any of that stuff for events, no one deals well with that, my husband and I included. So we do a lot less than a lot of other families, but I am okay with that. In addition, I am very strict about behaviour and rewards, I am more likely to cancel Christmas as a result of breaking rules than I am to let him get away with stuff because of the season. snowjewelz on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665326 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 12:23:41 +0000 snowjewelz 2665326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @raspberries: Same! I'd say mainly about the eating part and especially sweets. raspberries on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665323 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 12:17:22 +0000 raspberries 2665323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think I probably am a little bit more lax in regards to rules during the holidays - but less in a bribery way and more in a celebratory way (i.e. letting him eat an extra Christmas cookie after dinner, staying up late to watch a Christmas movie, buying an extra toy just because, etc.) Ajsmommy on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665319 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 12:14:21 +0000 Ajsmommy 2665319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Well, I am a push over most of the time anyway but I don't think I change around the holidays or even when our families are around. I will testify that DD misbehaves more often and doesn't listen as well when family is around and she'll be harder at bedtime/naptime when family is visiting. So I feel like I actually have to "reprimand" her more often but it's bc she's acting out/pushing her limits in front of them. So we are just attempting to get her to behave as normal... not put on some front. When it's just us she's more easy going. So it almost sounds like we are the opposite. We end up reprimanding more as opposed to giving in more. Mind you the grandparents often think we should give in.... and we are being too tough on her. But just bc they are visiting doesn't mean she can skip brushing her teeth or stay up until 10 pm! littlejoy on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665317 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 12:11:52 +0000 littlejoy 2665317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I liked this article by Janet Lansbury: <a href="http://www.janetlansbury.com/2016/12/my-holiday-survival-guide/" rel="nofollow">http://www.janetlansbury.com/2016/12/my-holiday-survival-guide/</a> littlejoy on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665316 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 12:11:26 +0000 littlejoy 2665316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I actually really focus on keeping things normal during this time of year. I've noticed friends inviting us to events during nap time, and they're ok with skipping nap "just the one time". For us, our kid is a notoriously bad sleeper, and her behavior is tightly connected to the amount she sleeps, sugar she eats, and overall being overstimulated. I'm in the camp of saying no to things (or leaving) when I can tell LO is having a hard time. I also look at the holidays as a special time for my little family, and try to not plan too much with other people. travelingnanny on "Do you parent differently during the holidays?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-parent-differently-during-the-holidays#post-2665313 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 12:06:38 +0000 travelingnanny 2665313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ This morning on the Bobby Bones Show they were talking about an article that said parents tend to parent differently during the holidays. With family around for the holidays parents want their kids to behave so they tend to give in to them more than normal. One of the DJs also mentioned that their is a lot of rivalry between the all the different kids and the adult are trying to one up their child compared to the other children. What do you think?