Holidays are stressful for adults but also for kids, say experts: Why parents need to watch this closely

The holidays — a wonderful time of year — can also be very stressful for adults and children alike, say psychiatrists and others. Parents need to guard their kids' well-being; here's how.

"In the same way that adults can be happy and stressed out at the same moment during the holidays, children, too, have mixed emotions," Dr. Lama Bazzi, a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City, told Fox News Digital.  Children often get into a routine during the school year, so they become sensitive when this routine is disrupted — which can lead to changes in mood and behavior. Caregivers should also show children they are taking time for their own wellness and involve them in stress-relieving activities, "like walking, listening to music or journaling."

During the holidays, children are often exposed to caretakers who are stressed by their finances, reminded of the loss of loved ones or overwhelmed with too many commitments, said Schenike Massie-Lambert, Ph.D, according to a press release.