The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year ... or the most overwhelming. Between the excitement, the sugar, the schedule changes, and the constant stimulation, even the calmest kids can start to unravel. And let’s be honest, parents can too!

In this episode, I sat down with JoAnn Crohn, a former school teacher who’s now on a mission to help overwhelmed moms rediscover joy and raise healthier, happier families. She has a gentle, realistic way of helping moms shift from chaos to calm, especially during high-stress seasons like the holidays. You might recognize JoAnn, as she's been a camp leader in all four seasons of #LifeSkillsNow!

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How JoAnn helps overwhelmed moms find joy and balance again
• Why self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential to being an effective parent
• What holiday overstimulation does to kids (and how to help them recover)
• Simple ways to validate your child’s emotions without giving in to every whim
• How to prepare kids for the changes and disappointments that come with the holidays
• Why calm-down strategies work best when practiced before the meltdowns
• The easiest ways to bring your kids into holiday traditions so everyone feels connected

You’ll walk away with practical tools and a fresh mindset to make this holiday season feel more joyful and a lot less stressful.

Resources We Mention for Helping Kids Manage Holiday Emotions

• Register for the Happy Holidays, Happier Kids Challenge that starts November 9!
• My interview with Tina Payne Bryson, and her book The Whole-Brain Child (Amazon/Bookshop.org)
• My Reasons I Think the Grinch Was a Highly Sensitive Person
• My favorite Christmas cookie ever: Kifli
• Visit JoAnn Crohn on her website No Guilt Mom, or follow her on social media: Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook

Get the one-page summaries of each podcast at www.kidscookrealfood.com/Handbook!

Take control of your stress with the Stress Mastery Challenge today!

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