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18 | Navigating Holiday Gatherings with Emotional Regulation: Building Connection and Protecting Your Peace with Strong-Willed or Neurodivergent Kids
Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 3% of Podcasts Worldwide!
Do you ever…
• Feel torn between keeping family happy and doing what’s best for your strong-willed or neurodivergent child?
• Worry about how others will react to your child’s behavior at family gatherings?
• Feel that quiet nudge from the Holy Spirit but doubt your strength to follow it when others push back?
• Wish you could walk into the holidays grounded, confident, and at peace no matter what others say or expect?
Episode Highlights
In this episode, we’re talking about what it looks like to choose peace over pressure when family expectations collide with your child’s needs. You’ll hear a personal story about the tension between pleasing others and protecting your child’s peace and how to recognize that still, small voice guiding you toward what’s best. Together, we’ll walk through practical ways to set boundaries, build connection with your child, importance of emotional regulation, and anchoring your heart in truth when others don’t understand your parenting choices.
You’ll learn how to stay calm and confident even when family members question your approach, how to create emotional safety for your child with ADHD, Autism (ASD), ODD, PDA, or sensory challenges, and how to hold onto peace when the pressure to “keep everyone happy” starts to rise.
Whether you’re navigating meltdowns, managing defiant behavior, or simply craving a more connected, grace-filled holiday, this episode will remind you that you are the expert on your child and the Father’s peace is always stronger than people’s opinions.
This Thanksgiving, you can protect your peace, parent with compassion, and walk in confidence knowing you are led by love, not guilt.
Faith Anchor
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Proverbs 29:25
When you trust the Father’s guidance more than people’s expectations, you step out of fear and into freedom. True peace comes from knowing that your worth and your child’s isn’t determined by anyone else’s approval.
Challenge of the Week
This week, take time to pray over your plans before the holiday.
Ask the Father to show you what peace looks like for your family this year.
Write down one simple boundary that would help protect that peace maybe it’s saying no, stepping out for a break, or letting your child play in another room.
Then, ask Him to give you the courage to follow through when the pressure rises.
Remember, peace doesn’t always mean everyone’s happy sometimes it just means you stayed anchored in love and obedience to the Father.
Links & Resources
• Join the Insiders List
• Instagram
• Email Amanda
• Facebook Group: Anchored Mamas
View all episodes
By Amanda Calfee - Christian Life Coach, Mama of Strong-willed & Neurodivergent KiddosParenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 3% of Podcasts Worldwide!
Do you ever…
• Feel torn between keeping family happy and doing what’s best for your strong-willed or neurodivergent child?
• Worry about how others will react to your child’s behavior at family gatherings?
• Feel that quiet nudge from the Holy Spirit but doubt your strength to follow it when others push back?
• Wish you could walk into the holidays grounded, confident, and at peace no matter what others say or expect?
Episode Highlights
In this episode, we’re talking about what it looks like to choose peace over pressure when family expectations collide with your child’s needs. You’ll hear a personal story about the tension between pleasing others and protecting your child’s peace and how to recognize that still, small voice guiding you toward what’s best. Together, we’ll walk through practical ways to set boundaries, build connection with your child, importance of emotional regulation, and anchoring your heart in truth when others don’t understand your parenting choices.
You’ll learn how to stay calm and confident even when family members question your approach, how to create emotional safety for your child with ADHD, Autism (ASD), ODD, PDA, or sensory challenges, and how to hold onto peace when the pressure to “keep everyone happy” starts to rise.
Whether you’re navigating meltdowns, managing defiant behavior, or simply craving a more connected, grace-filled holiday, this episode will remind you that you are the expert on your child and the Father’s peace is always stronger than people’s opinions.
This Thanksgiving, you can protect your peace, parent with compassion, and walk in confidence knowing you are led by love, not guilt.
Faith Anchor
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Proverbs 29:25
When you trust the Father’s guidance more than people’s expectations, you step out of fear and into freedom. True peace comes from knowing that your worth and your child’s isn’t determined by anyone else’s approval.
Challenge of the Week
This week, take time to pray over your plans before the holiday.
Ask the Father to show you what peace looks like for your family this year.
Write down one simple boundary that would help protect that peace maybe it’s saying no, stepping out for a break, or letting your child play in another room.
Then, ask Him to give you the courage to follow through when the pressure rises.
Remember, peace doesn’t always mean everyone’s happy sometimes it just means you stayed anchored in love and obedience to the Father.
Links & Resources
• Join the Insiders List
• Instagram
• Email Amanda
• Facebook Group: Anchored Mamas