RELEASE: December 4, 2003

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Hassle-free Holiday Tips for Parents -- 2003

A series by the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect…

Preface:
The New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect decided to re-issue this informational series for parents, since the national climate of news is still at a stressful level. Even the reassuring, warm icons of holiday traditions seem to be vanishing, as that New York City – Park Avenue icon of holiday toy sales – FAO Schwarz – has filed for bankruptcy, again and probably for the final time. State and national news is still filled with stories of child abuse, abductions, snipers, terrorism and war, economic worries and job lay-offs. And recent events show that even with community, church, and agencies’ involvement with a family, child abuse and neglect can still occur. So the best protection for children is to prevent the abuse from occurring. So for this traditionally stressful holiday season… a time when incidents of child abuse and domestic violence tend to increase… the Task Force felt that revisiting its series on ways to reduce holiday stress would help in this prevention effort. We have also added some hosting tips for parents who have a child, family members or holiday guests with disabilities. “This 4-part series offers tips for parents that are useful throughout the year, but may be especially useful at this time,” said Gwendolyn L. Harris, Department of Human Services Commissioner and Co-Chair of the Task Force. “It is our hope that parents will use these stress-reducing tips or will Call 1-800-THE-KIDS if the pressure of the season becomes too much.”

Overview:
Moving into the winter holiday season brings an increased pace consisting of shopping for gifts, making and buying decorations for the home, sending out holiday cards, listening to children’s pleas of “I want this,” and filling the calendar with things to do. Right before the holidays, we prepare all kinds of food, clean and decorate the house, wrap gifts, plan trips or holiday excursions, and try to figure out how to pay for it all.
On the actual holidays, we entertain guests in our homes, put out the fancy dishware, visit family and friends in their homes, attend worship services and pageants, deliver food and gifts to others, and worry as we overeat during most of these activities.

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