Every year since launching The Shameless Mom Academy podcast, moms have asked me about how to manage families and boundaries around the holidays. So, every year I talk about it. Because I don’t believe you should compromise your joy to meet someone else’s needs. 

I want you to own your holidays. Own your peace. Own your joy. Own the magic. Own the boundaries. Own your disregard for others' expectations of you. 

That last part might sound harsh, insensitive, even downright selfish. And maybe it is. And maybe that’s ok!

It is not your job to manage the expectations of 4 sets of grandparents, 7 aunts, 3 uncles, 37 cousins, 4 step-siblings, a half-sister and a partridge in a pear tree. 

IT’S NOT. 

Your job is to meet the needs of your immediate family unit - to create joy and magic and meaningful traditions for these most intimate relationships with the few people you adore more than anyone else in the world. 

It might be possible to do this and meet the needs of some extended family. And it might not. And that’s ok. 

If you have any dread over the upcoming holiday season, this ep is for you. Tune in to learn how to prioritize all the right things (your joy and peace!) and how to set boundaries around all the noise (even if you love the heck out of those noisy folks!)

Links mentioned:

• SMA episode 371: Train People How To Treat You

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