The holidays can be magical… and messy. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or carrying the pressure to make everything “perfect,” you’re not alone. For many parents, this season brings a mix of joy, stress, and emotional overload.
In this episode, Tammy Schamuhn and Tania Johnson, registered psychologists and co-founders of the Institute of Child Psychology, talk honestly about the emotional roller coaster families often experience during the holidays. From financial pressure and overstimulation to complex family dynamics, grief, and the weight of expectations, they explore why this time of year can feel so intense — for both parents and children. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how stress impacts emotional regulation, behavior, and connection during busy seasons.
Together, they share practical, compassionate strategies to help you manage holiday stress, set realistic expectations, support sensitive children, and create meaningful moments of connection that matter more than perfection.
• Why the holidays can feel overwhelming for parents and children
• How stress and overstimulation impact emotional regulation
• Ways to support sensitive or anxious kids during busy seasons
• How to set boundaries and realistic expectations around holidays
• Practical strategies to reduce stress and increase connection
Whether you love the holidays, dread them, or feel a bit of both, this conversation will help you slow down, breathe a little easier, and let go of the pressure to do it all.
Because what children remember most isn’t perfection — it’s connection.
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