Surviving the Christmas Meltdown Season

Christmas is magic… until it isn’t. Big feelings, tired kids, sugar highs, family drama, and festive chaos can turn the “most wonderful time of the year” into a meltdown marathon. In this episode, Justin and Kylie break down how to handle the full spectrum of Christmas emotions — without overreacting, over-parenting, or overcooking yourself into exhaustion. Real stories, practical tools, and realistic expectations… so your day stays joyful, not stressful.

KEY POINTS

• Why emotional regulation is harder for kids (and adults!) at Christmas
• The real takeaway from the Marshmallow Experiment
• The biggest mistake parents make: becoming “at-home therapists”
• Why letting emotions settle works better than talking them down
• The glitter-jar brain: a simple metaphor to help kids reset
• How to use fantasy (“Wouldn’t it be great if…”) to soothe disappointment
• Why low expectations equal high connection
• How to stop family tension — especially when alcohol is involved
• When to step in… and when to step back

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Big emotions on Christmas Day aren’t a failure — they’re developmentally normal. Give them time to settle, and most storms blow over in minutes.”

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Set kids up for success: Protect sleep, reduce overstimulation, keep routines light.
2. Stay calm: Emotions are contagious — yours sets the tone.
3. Pause, don’t fix: Give time for emotions to settle before intervening.
4. Use fantasy to empathise: “Wouldn’t it be amazing if…?”
5. Keep expectations low and flexibility high: Simplicity makes the day better.
6. Be mindful of adult emotions + alcohol: Redirect early, protect kids’ psychological safety.

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