This time of year can be especially difficult for children. With all of the media and consumer hype that typically surrounds Christmas, kids can become overwhelmed.
SIU School of Medicine psychiatry professor Glenn Aylward says there's lots of pressure to get all the "best toys" even toys that children may not really have any interest in. He says anxiety can be common and urges parents to help make the holidays more fun and less stressful. He says parents can make the holiday more stress free by taking care of themselves because kids can sense when parents are under stress.
Aylward also suggests parents' guide children away from the material focus of the holiday and toward the spirit of the season of giving. He says children's behavior should improve shortly after the holidays when they are back into their normal routines.