Prepping Our Mental Health for the Holidays: A Parent’s Guide to Boundaries, Joy, and Self-Care
The holiday season can be a time of magic and togetherness, but for many parents, it also brings stress, packed schedules, and the pressure to make everything picture-perfect. Between managing work, coordinating family plans, and trying to create memorable moments for your kids, it’s easy to put your own mental health on the back burner.
But here’s the truth: when you take care of your own well-being, you’re better able to show up for your family with patience, energy, and joy. This holiday season, let’s focus on balancing the chaos with intentional self-care and practical strategies to keep your mental health in check.
Let Go of Perfection
Pinterest-worthy holiday spreads and flawless family photos are fun to dream about, but striving for perfection can lead to burnout.
Tip: Focus on what matters most to your family, whether it’s a favorite tradition or a simple game night. The messy, imperfect moments are often the ones your kids will remember fondly.
Set Realistic Expectations
You don’t have to do it all. Prioritize the activities and commitments that bring your family the most joy, and feel confident saying no to the rest.
Tip: Sit down as a family and decide which traditions or events are most important. This helps everyone feel involved and avoids overloading the schedule.
Embrace the Power of Boundaries
From overpacked calendars to family dynamics, the holidays can test anyone’s patience. Setting boundaries helps protect your mental well-being.
Tip: Communicate limits clearly, whether it’s about how long you’ll stay at an event or what topics are off-limits for discussion at the dinner table.
Model Self-Care for Your Kids
Kids learn from watching you. When they see you prioritizing your mental health, it teaches them that self-care is important.
Tip: Take time for small rituals that recharge you, like a morning walk, a quiet cup of coffee, or a few minutes of deep breathing. Share these practices with your kids to make it a family habit.
Plan for the Tough Moments
Not every holiday moment will be smooth, and that’s okay. Prepare for the possibility of meltdowns—yours or your kids’.
Tip: Have a plan for when things go sideways. A quick break, a change of scenery, or a simple grounding exercise can help everyone reset.
Focus on Connection, Not Perfection
The holidays are about creating meaningful memories, not ticking off a to-do list.
Tip: Slow down and spend time connecting with your kids—whether it’s building a snowman, reading a holiday story, or baking cookies together (even if they don’t turn out perfect).
Accept and Process Your Emotions
The holidays can bring up a range of feelings, from joy to stress to nostalgia. Acknowledge your emotions without judgment.
Tip: Give yourself grace during this busy time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to a trusted friend, partner, or mental health professional.
Create Simple, Joyful Traditions
It’s easy to feel pressure to do all the things during the holidays, but sometimes, the simplest traditions are the most meaningful.
Tip: Let go of elaborate plans and focus on small activities that bring joy, like a family movie night or a gratitude circle at the dinner table.
Delegate and Ask for Help
You don’t have to carry the weight of the holidays alone.
Tip: Involve your partner, kids, or extended family in preparations. Assign tasks based on everyone’s strengths—kids can help decorate, older teens can assist with cooking, and others can contribute to hosting duties.
Seek Professional Support If You Need It
If holiday stress feels unmanageable, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Tip: Our virtual mental health team is here to support parents like you through the ups and downs of the season. Schedule a session to prioritize your well-being.
The holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. By setting boundaries, letting go of perfection, and focusing on what truly matters, you can create a holiday season filled with joy, connection, and balance—for your family and yourself.
Remember, it’s okay to prioritize your mental health—it’s the best gift you can give yourself this holiday season. Need support this holiday season? Our virtual mental health team at Bradley REACH is here for you.
Get Mental Health Care
We’d love to connect you or someone you know with mental health care. To refer a child/teen/adolescent or yourself, please call (877) 992-2422 or click here to make a referral. Bradley REACH’s expert teams of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and nurses provide intensive mental health care and therapy to teams and families, virtually, in New England, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Florida.
DISCLAIMER:
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you or your child are in crisis or experiencing mental health problems please seek the advice of a licensed clinician or call 988 or Kids Link in Rhode Island.
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