Christmas Day can be a hectic time if you have little ones running around – with the dinner often proving particularly stressful.
A parenting expert says there are a handful of things parents can do to help ease the stress and enjoy the dinner themselves – often the highlight for the adults.
Kirsty Ketley, who works as a parenting coach and is a mum-of-two herself, knows better than most just how much of a struggle it can be to get through the overwhelming holiday period.
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Luckily, the 43-year-old, who is mum to Ella, 11, and Leo, seven, has a handful of tried and tested tools we can use to make the day a jolly one for parents and children alike.
DON’T FORCE THE SPROUTS
“Christmas dinner can be a highlight of Christmas Day for us adults – but kids, particularly those who are small, can find it stressful,” the parenting coach, from Surrey, told What’s The Jam.
“If your child is not used to a roast dinner and sprouts, or is one of many who doesn’t like them, do not force them into eating Christmas dinner.
“Christmas Day should be a happy day for all – making your children eat something they don’t like will just end in tears.
“Instead, make sure that there is something they will eat, served up alongside, or give them their favourite meal instead.”
GIVE THEM CHOICES
Kirsty advised: “Instead of serving up their dinner for them, let them dish up their own – allowing them to choose what they want.
“You might be surprised what they put on their plate when there is no pressure!”
COLOUR-IN TABLE CLOTH
The parenting expert giving the kids something to focus on during the drawn out dinner – such as a colour-in table cloth.
She said: “Christmas dinner is often a long affair, and it can be hard to keep small kids entertained.
“Having a tablecloth that they can colour in and draw on is a great idea, particularly if you are eating in a restaurant or at a relative’s house.”
NO STRICT RULES
As for rules? Kirsty believes Christmas is the time to be more lax with things like staying at the table until everyone has finished.
She said: “Let them be excused from the table early – it’s unfair to expect little ones to sit for longer than they are able to, so allow them to leave the table when they are done, even if you are not.”
KIDS TABLE
Finally, Kirsty recommends having a designated children’s table if there are several kids in attendance at the dinner.
She said: “If you are spending Christmas with other children, if space allows, have the kids sit on their own table.
“If space doesn’t allow, can the kids eat together first and then the adults?
“This can make it fun for the kids and take the pressure off, when they are with other children.”
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