Why is the "most wonderful time of the year" also the time, all too often, when our kids are at their worst?

Drawing on research from child psychologists, developmental experts, and real-life family dynamics, Amy and Margaret explore this extremely familiar dynamic, and explain how disrupted routines, sensory overload, anxiety, social expectations, and good old-fashioned exhaustion collide to push kids past their emotional thresholds.

They discuss:

How blown-up routines remove a key emotional “protective factor” for kids

Why holiday excitement + uncertainty creates anxiety (for kids and adults)

The “migraine threshold” analogy for understanding meltdowns

How neurodivergent kids experience holiday environments differently

Why expectations—ours and theirs—fuel disappointment

When misbehavior is emotional dysregulation vs. strategic escape

How to rethink traditions so they actually work for the kids you have

Practical ways to add back small routines, reduce overwhelm, and prepare kids ahead of time

If holiday gatherings feel harder than they “should,” this episode offers compassion, insight, and doable strategies to help every kid (and parent) get through the season with less stress.

Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:

What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:

⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/⁠

Get 50% Off Monarch Money, the all-in-one financial tool at ⁠www.monarchmoney.com/FRESH

Ready to raise money-smart kids? Start now with your first month FREE at acornsearly.com/FRESH!

why kids melt down at the holidays, holiday meltdowns kids, kids holiday behavior, child emotional regulation holidays, holiday stress for kids, parenting holiday tips, disrupted routines kids, sensory overload holidays, family holiday expectations, managing holiday overwhelm, neurodivergent kids holidays, parenting during the holidays, child anxiety during holidays, traveling with kids during the holidays, preventing holiday meltdowns, Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables, What Fresh Hell podcast, holiday family stress tips, mindset and resilience for parents, mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices