The holiday season is a busy time, filled with all kinds of activities that make the approach of Christmas more special, each year. There are always the office parties, the neighborhood gatherings, the holiday house tours, and other Christmas-themed events. On top of all this, most families try to plan at least one large get-together for all the aunts and uncles and cousins, especially the newest family members.

But for many parents, these gatherings also carry their fair share of stress. Often, it's the first time parents have been able to introduce their youngest children to members of the extended family. Often, it's the first time parents have seen uncles or cousins, since they were children, themselves. Though connected by blood relation, people are often more self-conscious at these gatherings than they are, mingling with strangers.

The biggest fear many parents have is that their kids will be judged by the rest of the crowd, based on behavior. And, of course, most moms and dads take that kind of judgement as a reflection of their own parenting skills. At the same time, most parents understand that a large gathering of people, who may be completely unknown to their kids, is not the best situation in which to introduce children.

Despite the fact that relatives might gossip about a child whose behavior is less than perfect at a holiday party, parents shouldn't sweat a few miscues by their kids. Children usually try their best in most situations to be good and to please, but none of us were ever perfect. It's not a reflection on a parent, if a five-year-old misbehaves.

Parents can help their kids get ready for such a family gathering, by talking a little about what kind of evening they're facing, and how they should handle it all. One important thing parents can do to ensure good behavior is to see that their kids are fed and rested, before the Christmas party begins. Tired, hungry kids have a hard time hiding their crankiness.

Before attending a family Christmas party, parents of young children should remind themselves that they're raising their children in the best way they know how. No child is perfect, not even the child of the most critical relative. Christmas is for families and children, parents should remind themselves, and no matter what happens at the party for the extended family, every child who feels the unconditional love of a mom and dad is better for it, especially during the holidays.