How To Survive The Holidays With Family: 9 Tips To Balance It All

Alessandra | Posted on September 30, 2024 |

The holiday season can be tough when you have little kids. From rushing around to making sure you see everyone in your family, it sometimes ends up not even being fun! In this blog let’s discuss how to survive the holidays with family by finding balance!

In this blog, we’ll discuss how to survive the holidays with family, regardless if you have a close family or some tension. The holiday season is often a time of joy, family gatherings, and cherished traditions. However, it can also be a real source of stress, anxiety, and tension for many, especially when you have young children and babies involved. Whether it’s the pressure of hosting, managing family dynamics, or juggling a packed schedule, the holidays can feel overwhelming. I know for me, bouncing around from house to house with kids is so much work the holiday ends up not even being fun. And no one wants that! But with the right mindset and strategies, I believe you can find balance and truly enjoy the season. Keep reading to find out how!

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Why Do People Struggle Psychologically With the Holidays?

First, let’s discuss why you might struggle with the holidays.

The holidays can trigger a range of psychological challenges. Many experience heightened stress due to increased obligations, financial strain, and the pressure to make everything perfect or make sure that everyone around them is happy. Family dynamics, which may already be complicated, often come to the forefront, making interactions emotionally charged. Additionally, many individuals feel the weight of expectations—both self-imposed and from others—adding to the pressure to perform, create magical experiences, or maintain traditions.

For some, the holidays also bring up feelings of loneliness, grief, or isolation, especially if they’ve lost loved ones or are dealing with estranged relationships. All of these factors can make the holiday season feel more like a burden than a joyful celebration.

How To Survive The Holidays With Family In 9 Real Life Steps

Whether you struggle with the holidays because of grief, guilt, or extra stress, you’re not alone! Below I’m sharing 9 ways you can balance holiday time with your family so you get the most out of your holiday! I think it’s important to remember that you don’t need to do everything, just spend this special time with your kids and soak up the innocent days of childhood and holidays!

1. Set Realistic Expectations

Number one, let go of the need for perfection, mama! Not everything has to go according to plan for the holidays to be enjoyable. Set realistic expectations for what you can accomplish and what the holidays will look like. Make sure to focus more on meaningful moments rather than grand gestures.

2. Prioritize What’s Most Important

Identify the traditions and activities that mean the most to you and your family. Not every event or obligation needs to be attended. Focus on what brings you joy and connection, and feel free to say no to things that add unnecessary stress. This isn’t a time to do something everyday or spend extra money on holiday events. Do things that bring you joy and create new family traditions if you need to!

3. Create a Flexible Schedule

The holidays are notorious for last-minute changes. While scheduling your events is great, make sure to embrace flexibility as well, by planning a loose schedule that allows for unexpected adjustments. Prioritize your must-dos but give yourself grace if things don’t go exactly as planned.

4. Set Boundaries With Family

This might be the hardest one, but it’s important! Family gatherings can be fun but can also bring about emotional tension. It’s okay to set boundaries! Decide ahead of time what you’re comfortable with, whether it’s how long you’ll stay at gatherings or avoiding certain topics of conversation. Communicate these boundaries clearly and kindly to prevent potential conflicts. Make sure you and your husband/spouse discuss these boundaries as well. You could even come up with a code word if needed, for leaving a party early or tagging in for help! You can’t make everyone happy, so if avoiding some holiday get-togethers is something you need to do for your own peace, then its ok to do that! You are not responsible for other’s feelings.

5. Delegate Responsibilities

As moms, we’re really good at getting things done alone so it’s done “right.” But you don’t have to do everything yourself! Things can get done well even if you take a step back. Delegate tasks to family members, whether it’s preparing a dish for dinner, organizing an event, or taking care of decorations. Sharing the load not only reduces stress but also makes others feel involved.

6. Make Time for Yourself

Amidst the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to forget about self care. Remember to schedule time to recharge, whether it’s a quiet morning with a cup of tea, a walk outdoors, or simply reading a book. Make your self care easy and doable so you actually do it! Taking care of yourself, especially during the holidays, helps you manage the stress that comes with the season.

7. Budget Wisely

Financial stress can put a damper on holiday cheer. Talk to your husband/spouse and set a budget early on and stick to it. Plan gift-giving, meals, and outings within your financial means. Keep in mind that a thoughtful gestures often mean more than expensive presents, especially to older members of your family.

8. Don’t Compare Your Holidays to Someone Else’s

Social media and the internet can make it seem like everyone else’s holiday season is wonderful. Someone decorates better than you, someone’s family is happy and gets along better than yours, someone else has more money for presents and big holiday adventures. But what you’re seeing is just a glimpse into someone’s life. Again, this blog is about how to survive the holidays with YOUR family. You do your holiday season your way, don’t compare it to some random person on the internet. You have no idea how they feel behind those perfectly curated photos!

9. Plan Downtime for After the Holidays

The whirlwind of holiday activities can leave you and your kids feeling exhausted. Again, you don’t have to plan a million things. The special moments you do have are perfect and your kids will love every second! But after a holiday event, plan a day or two after the festivities to rest and recharge together at home before diving back into your regular routine. This post-holiday downtime helps you recover and process the season before returning to normal life.

Final Thoughts

Balancing the demands of the holiday season can be challenging, but with clear priorities, realistic expectations, and healthy boundaries, you can manage stress and truly enjoy the time spent with loved ones. By focusing on what matters most and embracing the imperfections, you’ll be able to survive and dare I say, even thrive during the holidays.

Remember, the holidays are meant to be a time of joy and connection with your kids and family! So give yourself permission to let go of the pressures and savor the moments that make the season special. Enjoy this time with your kids while they are young and finding magic in every moment. That’s what it’s all about! Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

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