07/01/2023
💥4th of July
Fireworks! Family! Friends! Food! Music! 📢
‼️All of this might sound fantastic to you and me but there is a chance that our sensory kiddos might not enjoy it as much as we do.
🇺🇸Here are a few tips to make it more enjoyable for them too:
1. Warn them about the change in routine/foods. BBQ's, large family get-togethers, etc.
🔺Remember these types of functions are full of different smells, loud noises and music, and people they don't see all of the time.
2. Give them breaks at these functions. Choose the 2 things you want them to participate in.
🔻This could be eating with a large group of people, standing in a group for a family portrait, playing with cousins for 10 minutes.
Even though these are fun things for most kids, for your kid this may the equivalent of taking a 2 hour math test⏰. If they choose to be super outgoing that day and participate in everything- Awesome!
🤗Congratulate them on it and thank them for being a trooper.
3. Let them pick something that is fun for them and have the rest of the family participate.
🔻This could be watching a movie, talking about Star Wars, looking up toys on Amazon, Xbox competition, whatever! ❤️They love to see people enjoying the things that they enjoy too.
4. Fireworks. Warn them about it (loud noises, lots of people, etc.). Watch some Youtube videos with them so they can have an idea of what its like.
🔺Even if they went last year, don't expect them to remember. Give them the opportunity to form a new opinion this year!!!
5. Bring headphones! Walmart has ear protection in the hunting section for as low as $10.
🔻Buy a pair and keep them in the car (Your house probably doesn't get that loud. If it does, buy 2 pair and keep one in the car.) These are lifesavers‼️ Let them have the option of wearing them. You'll probably find that after 10 minutes, they will take them off because they know what to expect.
🙌🏼The biggest thing is understanding.
Understand your kiddo.
You may have to let go of some "traditions".
You may only stay at the fireworks for 10 minutes. Its okay.
❤️Give them memories of a family that loves them and advocates for them no matter what day of the year it is.
🇺🇸Enjoy your time together💦