Handling Holiday Disappointment, Exhaustion, and Other Big Feelings
Our neurodiverse families are at risk of burnout right now. I rounded up some support.
No matter your December traditions, unless you’re spending the month on a remote tropical island, big feelings are coming for us neurodiverse families.
Here Are 5 Fabulous Posts From Your New Best Friends Who Really Get You
1. Reclaim Joy
This quote hit me over the head:
“If you are a woman, a mom, a parent, a caregiver, an eldest daughter, you're at risk for doing too much and the expectations of "making the magic happen" are so high…If you’re wondering how you can reclaim a sense of joy or fulfillment in December, the honest answer is: it’s up to YOU to do it.”
-
2. De-Shame Disappointment
“Kids need someone to help them accept and recognize their feelings, especially during the holidays. Shaming them will only make everyone feel worse.”
-
3. Reframe Regret
“One memorable year, I carried both him and his slice of pie into my uncle’s bedroom, closed the door, and ate pie together while watching the Grinch on a small TV. This sounds blissful to me now, but at the time I was heartbroken. Devastated, in fact. I wanted nothing more than to be out there with my cousins, aunts and uncles, not holed away in a bedroom.”
-
This one resonates deeply with me. I feel I could have written it myself, except it was birthday cake and we found our nest amid piles of coats. Regret is interesting, because it ages into some of our favorite stories to tell. Time helps us reframe and see the bigger picture. Eventually, we may even be able to laugh!
What stories do you tell yourself about holidays past? I’d love to hear some!
4. Check Out
There’s going to be mess and stuff to do all the time.
Especially over holiday breaks. The only way I stay sane is to rest and take small escapes despite the chaos. NOT after it’s all done, because it never will be.
Snatch time for walks, meet a friend, or hide and read some blog fragments over the holidays.
has compiled a great list of recommendations! I’ve already expanded my subscriptions quite a lot.
What’s your escape plan?
5. Get Great Gifts
Every holiday roundup needs a gift guide, and this one from
is so FUN! Fidgets, games, planners and more!
If you’re wishing for support, strategies & connection during this parenting season, how about asking for a subscription upgrade?
Mindful Parent Group Coaching is Thursday!
We’re a community that understands your experience and reminds you that you are never alone. Got questions about navigating the holidays? Something else?
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.