Yes, it is the season! So many wonderful events. School programs, family get-togethers, special events, snow and time off from our daily routines. So much excitement, yet so many opportunities for things to go badly! These can be challenging times for adults. You are running around, trying hard to get everything done. Eating things that are delicious, but perhaps 
not very good for you. Not getting enough sleep. Now, imagine this chaotic time from a child’s point of view!
This CBS News article is a year old, but I felt like it was not too early to start taking the steps you need to make the coming holidays a time of happiness and joy for you and your entire 
family. The bottom line is tone it all down. You can choose to forego things that are overstimulating. Try to maintain routines as much as possible. Plan for quiet time. You will find that your kids are happier and healthier when you are able to stick to daily routines. Yes, get out and enjoy the special things the season has to offer, but remember that too much of a good things is too much! 
One of the things that I think can be helpful is letting others know what your child needs. Be sure there are things that they will be comfortable eating and remember that this is not a good time to push them to step outside their comfort zone. Let them know that they have options and choices. Don’t get your heart set on things going a certain way or let yourself be disappointed when your child does not react the way you wish/expected they would to things.
Nevada Equine Assisted Therapy will be seeing clients throughout the holidays. We have a covered arenas, so we are able to provide services year round!
Through work with horses we help our clients learn and practice self-soothing/calming skills that can be helpful when they become overwhelmed by the world around them. We help them learn to work through transitions and changes – ‘yes, I know you usually ride Mystic, but she has lost a shoe so we 
have to work with someone else today. Would you rather ride Ruby of Sammy?’ We also work on communication. ‘What’s another way you can let Reilly know that he is going too fast?’ We encourage our clients to take care of themselves ‘if you feel like you are unbalanced (while riding) you can stop and get yourself 
together before continuing’.
We are here to help. We work with children as young as 4, teens and adults, dealing with social, emotional, behavioral and mental health issues. We are happy to schedule a visit for you to come on out to the ranch. We will show you around, introduce our wonderful horses, learn more about what you are dealing with and share how we may be able to help. Call or email to schedule your tour.