Holiday Parenting Strategies -- Create a Special Signal
If your child is easily overwhelmed or sensory sensitive or suffers from an anxiety producing challenges, consider creating a special signal that let's you know he's ready to leave.
Perhaps it's as simple of a nod of his head towards the car.
Once at a party I suggested to my son that when he was ready to go he sit in the chair near the door. After about a half-hour, when the volume of people seemed to double, I looked over. Sure enough, there he was, and although I wanted to stay and visit with the many friends now at the party, I honored our commitment. The two of us went home to hot chocolate and a movie, just the two of us.
