The holiday season is a time when family love, harmony, and togetherness are fostered by songs, advertisements, and the media. While this may come true for some families, the holidays can also be a period of increased family stress. The increased pressures families experience during this time of the year are demonstrated by research that finds increased family violence during the holiday period.
Families experience stress whenever they undergo change.
During the holiday season many of the routines families develop are disrupted. Children are home from school. Grandparents and other relatives may be coming to visit or the family may be traveling to visit them. Many special events and activities are planned. Adjusting to these changes can produce stress.