Two Whanganui agencies are urging families to plan for the stresses of holiday season.
Rise: Stopping Violence Services and Whanganui Women's Refuge manage a spike in demand during and following Christmas and New Year due to financial pressures, family feuds, disagreements over children's access arrangements and increased drinking.
But this Christmas season, Rise is offering short term support to help people plan and strategies to manage pressures.
"Getting in early and making a plan is a great way to take the pressure off and make the day safe and fun for everyone," manager Kyley Logan said.
All Rise programmes are free and confidential and in Whanganui anyone can refer themselves.
Rise offer several programmes including a men's Tikanga Maori Programme – Te Ara Tika o Tane - which is facilitated in partnership with Tupoho Iwi Community and Social Services - men's and women's group and individual programmes, anxiety management programme and youth services.
Women's Refuge Whanganui also advocate families making plans together early to ensure they are safe and the children are able to have an enjoyable holiday period.
Rise can be contacted on (06) 3477992 or call in to their office at 284 St Hill St, Whanganui.
Tips for a stress free Christmas:
*Plan now and buy only what you can afford. Children will remember the fun they have and who they spent the day with, not only the gifts they get.
*If you share the care of your children, plan for what you will do when you have them rather than focusing on what you're missing. Make the day about making memories with your children in a happy and safe environment.
*Share the day with family and friends and all contribute to the table.
*Avoid excessive alcohol.
*Plan activities for children and get involved. Get a game of cricket or touch going and encourage everyone to join in.
*Negotiate a time out plan – if the day gets too overwhelming, go for a walk and come back when you feel calm. Make sure others in the family know in advance that you might need to leave for a short time to clear your head.
*Manage your expectations of the day. Christmas rarely goes perfectly. Accept that children aren't going to be magically well behaved and the dinner may not be on time.