The holidays can be joyful, sentimental, and full of connection—but they can also stir up anxiety, overwhelm, and boundary violations that leave moms emotionally drained. In this Supermom Short, Amy breaks down practical, real-world tools for setting and enforcing boundaries with family during holiday gatherings. From time limits and parenting decisions to physical boundaries and emotional safety, this episode empowers moms to protect their peace without cutting off important relationships.

• Boundaries are not walls—they’re doors that let in what’s healthy and keep out what harms your peace.

• You can prepare your partner and kids with a simple plan or signal.

• You don’t owe long explanations. A calm, repeated sentence (“We’re heading out at 3”) is enough.

• You can protect your kids in real time with simple redirections.

  Post-event debriefing helps create a better plan for next year.

• “Boundaries help you protect your own emotional bandwidth—and your family’s wellbeing.”

• “If your boundaries make people uncomfortable, their discomfort doesn’t require your guilt.”

• “You’re not responsible for everyone else’s holiday expectations.”

Keywords: holiday boundaries, family dynamics, motherhood stress, emotional safety, parenting boundaries, holiday gatherings, anxiety during holidays

• Emotional regulation strategies (breathing, visualization)

• Communication tools like “broken record” and redirection
  

About Your Host

Amy Grace is a licensed therapist, course creator, author and podcast host, centering everything she does on one mission—supporting moms to be happy, healthy, thriving, supermoms. For more information about all her offerings and resources, check her out at www.amygrace.bio.

This episode discusses emotional overwhelm and family stress but does not replace therapy. If you are struggling with significant distress, please reach out to a qualified mental health provider or crisis resource in your area.