December 05, 2025

Fresh Take: Erin Cox on Navigating Family Drama, Guilt, and Stress at the Holidays

37 minutes

The holidays are the time of year we're most likely to spend time with our extended families— visits which can also bring guilt, frustration, and overwhelming expectations.

In this episode, Amy and family counselor Erin Cox dive into the challenges of holiday family dynamics: setting boundaries, splitting time between multiple households, managing difficult relatives, and trying to create a joyful season for our own kids without losing ourselves in the process.

We explore why returning home makes boundaries harder to keep, why the pressure ramps up this time of year, and how to stay grounded when everyone wants something from you. From travel burnout to critical parents, hosting fatigue, mismatched traditions, and even holiday pet drama, we’re talking through the real stories listeners shared — and how to protect your peace while still showing up with love.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

Why boundaries feel harder to hold around the holidays

The stress of splitting time between multiple sets of grandparents

Handling critical or overbearing parents with grace (and limits)

What to do when the most difficult family member controls the vibe

How to pass holiday hosting to the next generation without hurting anyone's feelings

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By Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson

4.8

984984 ratings