Restoring Joy: A Biblical Approach to Bullies, Forgiveness, and Healing

by Cammie Arn The holidays are upon us. So, the question at hand is: "How do we navigate all the shopping, prepping, and heightened activity during this time of year when it can be so overwhelming?" For families homeschooling children with learning, physical, or mental health challenges, the holiday season can bring additional layers of stress. Whether it's sensory overload, health concerns, unsupportive relatives, or unmet expectations, the challenges can feel relentless. Here are some strategies that worked for our family when daily life was already overwhelming, and the holidays added extra pressure. Simplify Shopping Shop Online and with Catalogs: Skip the crowds and the chaos by shopping from home. Many retailers offer extensive online catalogs and holiday discounts, making it easier to check off your list stress-free. Make It a Teaching Opportunity: Involve your child in gift planning. Let them compare prices, calculate discounts, and practice budgeting. It turns a chore into a learning experience! Enjoy Festive Lights Without the Overload Drive-Through Neighborhoods: Find neighborhoods known for their holiday displays. Enjoy the lights from the comfort of your car, where you can control noise levels and avoid overstimulation. Bring hot chocolate and cookies for a cozy family treat. Sensory-Friendly Options: If your child is sensitive to lights or sounds, look for local drive-through displays that advertise sensory-friendly nights. Create a Calming Holiday Environment Decorate Mindfully: Use soft white lights instead of flashing colored ones. A minimalistic approach can bring peace and beauty without overwhelming anyone. Reusable Wrapping Alternatives: Swap wrapping paper for festive fabric, such as holiday-themed pillowcases or scarves. They’re quieter, reusable, and eco-friendly! Gift Box Strategy: Simplify gift-opening by giving each family member one large box containing all their gifts. This cuts down on chaos and helps the child focus on each gift. Maintain Stability Stick to Your Routine: Keeping a familiar schedule can help prevent meltdowns. While holiday activities are exciting, they can also be disruptive. Strive to keep meals, bedtime, and homeschool lessons consistent. Limit Sugar: Extra treats are tempting, but too much sugar can lead to mood swings and meltdowns. Opt for healthier versions of holiday favorites, or enjoy treats in moderation. Prioritize Rest: Overstimulation and fatigue often go hand in hand. Build downtime into your schedule so your family can recharge. Choose Activities Wisely Pick and Choose: It’s impossible to do everything. Decide as a family what matters most and let go of the rest. Focus on quality over quantity when it comes to holiday activities. Adapt Traditions: If old traditions no longer work due to your child’s needs, create new ones that everyone can enjoy. For example, instead of hosting a large family dinner, consider a cozy night at home with board games and a simple meal. Navigating Family Relationships Prepare for Interactions with Unsupportive Relatives: If relatives don’t understand your child’s needs or your homeschooling lifestyle, have a plan. Set boundaries around topics of discussion or shorten visits if needed. Educate and Advocate: If the opportunity arises, gently explain your child’s unique needs and why your family celebrates in certain ways. You might find allies you didn’t expect. Manage Expectations Let Go of Perfection: The holidays don’t have to be picture-perfect. Focus on creating meaningful moments rather than meeting impossible ideals. Accept What Is: Life is unpredictable, especially when you’re parenting a child with unique challenges. Be flexible and remember that it’s okay to scale back or make last-minute changes. When Things Go Awry Despite the best planning, things can still go wrong. When they do, take a deep breath and remind yourself: Tomorrow is a new day. Every holiday season has its ups and downs, but love and grace can smooth over even the roughest moments. By simplifying, prioritizing, and focusing on what truly matters, you can create a holiday season that brings joy and peace to your family, no matter the challenges you face. Happy Holidays!

In this heartfelt episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations, host Peggy Ployhar welcomes Sharon Jaynes, international speaker and bestselling author of twenty-six books, including Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe. Sharon, formerly the vice president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and co-host of their radio program, brings her deep well of wisdom to a conversation about finding hope and strength in the midst of family struggles, especially during the holiday season. Together, Peggy and Sharon explore the feelings of loneliness and heartache that homeschooling families often face when extended family members don’t understand or accept their children’s unique needs. With an emphasis on faith, they discuss how trusting God’s presence and plan can bring comfort and healing, even in the most difficult circumstances. Tune in for an uplifting and encouraging conversation about embracing gratitude, leaning on God’s promises, and watching Him work through life’s trials. To join in the after-show conversation, join the Empowering Homeschool Conversations Q&A group here: https://www.spedhomeschool.com/groups/tuesday-empowering-conversations *You must have a Navigator Membership or higher on Homeschool Heroes to be part of this group. To get a membership or upgrade your membership, visit: https://www.spedhomeschool.com/membership   To connect with Sharon and her resources, visit: https://sharonjaynes.com/   Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.leilanimelendez.com/ https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/ Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.