From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, the calendar is full of special events and cherished family traditions. But the excitement and break from routines can be overwhelming for children, especially those who have emotional and behavioral challenges. And that can make everyone in the family stressed.

This week, we have ideas on how to make the holidays kid-friendly. One way is anticipating what might be an issue at family gatherings for kids with autism, anxiety, ADHD, or other issues, and planning ahead to avoid conflicts and meltdowns. If you’re traveling, we have suggestions from experts and families on how to make it less challenging, with specific tips for airports and road trips. And it helps to manage your own expectations of what a successful holiday looks like (especially if you’re grieving or going through a divorce). Finally, with a little help, the holidays can be a great chance for kids to get some practice expressing gratitude.

— Michelle Shih, Managing Editor | ✉