Navigating the holidays can be a tricky time for both picky eaters and their caregivers! While this is a fun season of celebration, it can also bring some extra challenges and anxious feelings for kiddos with sensory feeding difficulties. Holiday meals, while extra special, also present some extra sensory and environmental considerations. Before even discussing the dishes that might be served, it is helpful to consider just a few of the environmental factors that may be at play as well. Meals will likely take place in new or unfamiliar settings, at unusual times, with larger groups of people. While many of these factors are part of the celebration, helping set clear expectations and being sure your child knows what to expect at each gathering is a great way to combat some of the difficulties that can arise. Be specific! Help your child understand where you are going, who might be there, what events may take place, and how long you anticipate being at an event. Beyond this, it is a great idea to remind your child of how they might be able to request “a break” or even do your best to anticipate this need and incorporate them throughout the gathering. While there are many environmental factors we cannot control, it is a great idea to consider those we can! For example, noise-reducing/cancelling headphones or earbuds, sensory fidgets, or even weighted stuffed animals/clothing can be great supports for success within challenging sensory environments.
Beyond these considerations, many novel and unfamiliar foods will likely be present at holiday gatherings. The sights and smells of these dishes alone can be quite overwhelming. Here are a few tips that may help your kiddo be successful –
Allow them to be as involved as possible during the cooking and food preparation process. If you are bringing a dish or multiple dishes, encourage them to help you in the kitchen. This can allow your child the opportunity to learn about new foods, even if they are not ready to try them just yet.
Make sure they have 1-2 “safe foods” on their plate during meals. Having foods they consistently accept on their plate will help them feel more comfortable throughout the meal.
Offer small portions of new foods and unfamiliar dishes. Be sure to emphasize that just because the new/non-preferred foods may be on their plate, they do not have to be willing to eat them just yet. This is a great and “low pressure” way to help your kids become more comfortable with a wider variety of foods. Having them “serve themselves” and place foods on their own plate is another great way to increase comfort when encouraging your child to learn about new foods.
Set realistic expectations and don’t put too much pressure on your child – or yourself! Even though mealtimes can be somewhat challenging and stressful, remember to give some grace and enjoy precious time with loved ones. Make all of the memories and have all the fun!
