Holiday Tips

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Hi everyone!
Im going on holiday tomorrow and I wondered if you had any tips on making it go better.
My 10 year old daughter has very challanging behaviour and can be very violent. Often the things that set her off are unpredictable things not going her way. For example the other day at the supermarket they had run out of her preferred rice cakes so she proceeded to attack me and the other shoppers trying to ram everyone with the trolly and when I stopped her ramming people by holding the trolly tightly she bit me alot and kicked and thumped me. And on and on it went. Im worried the holiday will be horrid as so many things happen that are not the way she imagines and set her off. Ive bought some new holiday pecs as often when she is angry she cant talk so I thought that might ease her frustrations and Ive also made a pec itinery for each day. Im bringing ALL her stuff and my mum has bought her a gameboy. Any other tips please

try talking with her now about what events will be taking place....what your expectations are....where she'll be able to go if she's feeling overwhelmed..........try to keep things as predictable as is possible

There are some things to keep in mind when dealing with trips. Try and be as prepared as possible, the feeling of being rushed aggravates most children and will keep them from staying relaxed. Remember to have pre-planned activities and like ster suggested have set clear expectations, consequences, and reinforcement.

This is a great article that expounds on the subject a bit more http://www.butterflyeffects.com/community/articles_grocery-store-nightmare.aspx

hope this helps! and good luck

Yep, the hugest meltdown ever ( one of the very worst anyway!) in public , me and my son, happened last year on hols because on one occasion did not clearly set boundaries of any sort. It was striking how fatal that lapse was.

Put time boundaries round activities. Prepare ( yourself and ) them mentally for closure/endings.

Good luck. And have fun.

We make it a goal to only go on holidays (vacations in US) to someplace that will be more calming and relaxing than at home. For example, resorts where all we do is read and go swimming. If you are planning a holiday where there will be a lot of activity or people, all I can say is, don't do it. You will hate every second of it, and she will hate every second of it.

When I was a child my parents always made me go to huge family gathering for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, ect. and I always hated it and ended up crying by the end of the night. When I turned 18 I moved out, and never went to one of those again. I have no problem with seeing my relatives, but when we do it, we do it one on one, in a totally relaxed environment.

Yes weve learned alot from experience and are staying in a cottage in the country as then we dont have to worry about noise or people. But that said she freeks if her top comes untucked or a crum is in her shoe. I think next time I will try and get my mum to have the kids so I can go on my own! My daughter is freeking with just the idea of going away and has been so grouchy all week. Wish me luck!