The holiday season is officially upon us. The Halloween costumes have all been put back in the closet for another year, the kids are bouncing off the walls on a never ending sugar high, and moms everywhere are turning their attention toward Thanksgiving preparations. Soon the holiday pace will pick up and there will be parties to go to, holiday concerts to attend, and a myriad of other things to accomplish in the short two months that we call the holiday season. So how do you maintain a balance for your kids during this mad dash rush of the holidays?

Kids need routine. It's important for them to know what is expected of them and when. Even the most relaxed child can become unruly if their routine becomes obliterated for lengthy periods of time. The holidays do anything but lend themselves to keeping a routine and causes us parents to perform a unique balancing act. Here are some tips to help you keep the scales tipped in your favor this holiday season and the whole season jollier.

Consider the age of your children before committing to an event.

Dinner parties can be difficult for a well behaved child but for an infant or toddler they can be next to impossible. If your family has been invited to such an event find out if other children will be there and if the hostess has a plan to keep the children entertained. If so, then go ahead and take your little angels with. They will be entertained playing with the other children and you can enjoy some adult conversation. If there won't be other children your hostess may simply be trying to accomodate your family. In this case consider the situation of bored kids and nothing to entertain them with, if the thought brings a shiver to your spine a baby sitter for the evening may be a better idea.

Children are not little adults so don't expect them to act like one.

Kids are kids. They are going to do things that kids do. That means that juice will get spilled, toys will get broke, and squabbles will happen. Expect it. With that being said it does not mean that children can't be instructed on how to behave at a social gathering.

Before leaving the house for an event take time to explain to your child what is expected of him and the types of manners that are required. Let him know that consequences that will occur if he forgets his manners such as a time out, or having to leave the event all together.

Failure to plan is a plan to fail.

Plan ahead. If you know the event will run into the kid's bedtime pack some pajamas in the diaper bag so they can be changed into them and be comfy at their normal time. This also prevents you having to wrestle a half conscious toddler out of her clothes when you get home.

Snacks should always be on hand for you little angel. When going to a dinner bring food for your daughter if she is a picky eater and save on the embarrassment of her calling the hostess's meal "GROSS!". School concerts often run long, a baggie of trail mix or dried fruit can settle the squirmiest of little sisters. She gets a healthy treat and you can truthfully say you heard your older son's tuba solo.

Activity books are a wonderful way to keep older children entertained at an adult event if it is necessary that they attend. Let your child help pick it out at the store and get him a new set of markers to go with it. Decorate a bag together for him to keep his supplies in and he will be all set and you will avoid the ever delightful plea of "Can we go NOW!".

Know when enough is enough.

Even the best laid plan sometimes fails. Children are going to have their off days when none of the previous suggestions will work. Or it may just be that your child is letting you know they have experienced enough holiday spirit for awhile. It is important to know when to call it quits and go home. Don't try to push to the end of the party and end up ruining it for everybody. If your child is telling you it is time to go home and is on the verge a full fledged meltdown, gracefully excuse yourself, thank your hostess and make a graceful exit. Everyone will respect and appreciate you for it. Especially those who matter most, your kids.

Holidays are fun or at least they are supposed to be. Keep these tips in mind when scheduling your activities this holiday season and you are sure to have a year of wonderful memories and invitations to come back next year.