The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year … or the most overwhelming. Between the excitement, the sugar, the schedule changes, and the constant stimulation, even the calmest kids can start to unravel. And let’s be honest, parents can too!
In this episode, I sat down with JoAnn Crohn, a former school teacher who’s now on a mission to help overwhelmed moms rediscover joy and raise healthier, happier families. She has a gentle, realistic way of helping moms shift from chaos to calm, especially during high-stress seasons like the holidays. You might recognize JoAnn, as she’s been a camp leader in all four seasons of #LifeSkillsNow!
JoAnn and I talk about what really happens to kids (and parents) when the routines disappear and expectations skyrocket. We explore why kids may act out more in December, how to prepare them for disappointment, and what it looks like to model calm even when you’re running on half a night’s sleep and the to-do list is longer than the wrapping paper roll.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why do my kids seem extra emotional this time of year?” or “How can I actually enjoy the holidays without snapping at everyone I love?”—this episode is for you.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How JoAnn helps overwhelmed moms find joy and balance again
- Why self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential to being an effective parent
- What holiday overstimulation does to kids (and how to help them recover)
- Simple ways to validate your child’s emotions without giving in to every whim
- How to prepare kids for the changes and disappointments that come with the holidays
- Why calm-down strategies work best when practiced before the meltdowns
- The easiest ways to bring your kids into holiday traditions so everyone feels connected
You’ll walk away with practical tools and a fresh mindset to make this holiday season feel more joyful and a lot less stressful.
Listen in to learn how small shifts in preparation, awareness, and connection can help your whole family thrive when the holidays hit!
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No time for the video? Here are the notes!
Time Stamps for Navigating Holiday Stress with Kids
3:18 – JoAnn shares her journey from the classroom to founding No Guilt Mom, helping moms raise empowered, independent kids while letting go of guilt. She talks about leaving teaching after her second child was born and realizing she wanted to use her experience with child behavior to help other moms find joy and balance. JoAnn’s next book, The Best Mom Is a Happy Mom, will release in January 2026.
A happy mom is the best kind of mom. The things you do for yourself aren’t selfish; they’re what keep your soul going. – JoAnn Crohn
5:24 – We talk about how achiever moms (like us!) struggle to rest. Her “Stop Doing Checklist” encourages parents to eliminate unnecessary tasks and focus on what truly nourishes them.
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Why the Holidays Feel So Overwhelming
7:15 – Even though the holidays are joyful, they can throw everyone off balance. JoAnn explains that changes in routine, constant busyness, and overstimulation (bright lights, crowds, loud music) all impact kids’ nervous systems—and ours too.
8:27 – She introduces the idea of the interoceptive sense, our internal awareness of needs like hunger, fatigue, or needing the bathroom. Many kids struggle to notice these cues until they’re in full meltdown mode.
Teaching Kids to Recognize Their Own Needs
9:47 – Interoception can be strengthened through modeling. When parents say things like, “I’m feeling hungry, I’m going to get a snack, want to join me?” we’re teaching kids to tune into their own bodies. This sense varies for everyone. Some kids, especially those on the autism spectrum, may find it harder to notice hunger or tiredness. Our job is to bring awareness and compassion, not judgment.
When Behavior Speaks Louder Than Words
11:30 – JoAnn reminds us that behavior is communication. Acting out often signals overwhelm, not “bad behavior.” She encourages parents to observe without judgment and look for the need behind the behavior—maybe a break, attention, or a chance to move.
Behavior is communication. When kids act out, it’s not defiance—it’s their way of saying, “I need help.” – JoAnn Crohn
13:12 – We discuss how to balance empathy with firm boundaries. Validation doesn’t mean excusing behavior; it means helping kids get their needs met while still being kind and respectful.
Pushing or Cushioning: Knowing What Kids Need
17:38 – JoAnn shares the “push or cushion” framework (inspired by Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, whom I interviewed here. JoAnn mentions her book The Whole-Brain Child). Sometimes kids need a gentle push to build resilience; other times, they need a cushion to recover from overwhelm. As parents, our job is to discern which response the moment calls for: push through mild discomfort, cushion when emotions are too high. Both approaches teach valuable life skills over time.
Holiday Triggers for Kids and Adults
18:48 – Overstimulation and disappointment are two of the biggest holiday triggers. Kids can be thrown off by new environments, unfamiliar foods, or not getting the gift they hoped for. Parents often feel embarrassed by these reactions, but JoAnn reframes them as learning opportunities.
Kids don’t need plastic knives. They need real skills.
Teach safe technique, focus, and confidence in the all-time fav lesson from our kids cooking class! (ages 2-12)
21:20 – Even grown-ups get triggered. Social fatigue, unmet expectations, and too much “noise” can leave everyone feeling grinchy. (I think the Grinch was a highly sensitive person!)
Helping Kids Regulate Big Feelings
22:13 – When kids are upset, correction doesn’t work in the heat of the moment. JoAnn says to validate first, then guide later.
23:34 – Calmly acknowledge what’s happening, help kids step away if needed, and circle back once emotions settle. That’s when curiosity, teaching, and problem-solving can happen. This order – validate, remove, reconnect – is key to building trust and teaching life skills.
24:52 – JoAnn shares a personal example where this kind of parenting would have helped the situation.
Preparing Kids Before the Holidays
27:14 – JoAnn suggests “prepping for disappointment” before it happens. Role-play how to react to gifts you don’t love (“Thank you so much!”), talk through tricky family dynamics, and help kids script what to say if they need space.
28:41 – Planning ahead helps kids access logic when emotions run high later. These small “rehearsals” build self-awareness and social skills they’ll use for life.
Family Connection in the Kitchen
30:03 – We chat about the kitchen as both a joyful and stressful place during the holidays. JoAnn shares how roles shift as kids grow: little ones love helping, while teens often prefer chatting nearby. She reminds parents that breaks are okay and traditions matter more than perfection.
31:31 – We talk about my family’s favorite Christmas cookie tradition (kifli!) and how letting kids take ownership of the process brings more joy and less stress.
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Let Go of Perfection, Keep the Joy
32:26 – Kids won’t remember the matching wrapping paper or perfect décor. They’ll remember how we felt. Let go of the “shoulds” and focus on being present and peaceful.
Your kids won’t remember how beautifully you wrapped the gifts. They’ll remember that you were laughing. – JoAnn Crohn
32:56 – JoAnn encourages parents to stop doing anything that drains joy and to choose laughter and connection instead.
Preparing for a Calmer, Happier Holiday
33:26 – JoAnn shares her Happy Holidays, Happier Kids Challenge, a free three-day event with family-friendly videos to help parents and kids identify triggers, learn calm-down strategies, and manage disappointment before the chaos hits. Families can sign up here to join the live challenge starting November 9.
Resources We Mention for Helping Kids Manage Holiday Emotions
- Register for the Happy Holidays, Happier Kids Challenge that starts November 9!
- My interview with Tina Payne Bryson, and her book The Whole-Brain Child (Amazon/Bookshop.org)
- My Reasons I Think the Grinch Was a Highly Sensitive Person
- My favorite Christmas cookie ever: Kifli
- Visit JoAnn Crohn on her website No Guilt Mom, or follow her on social media: Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook
JoAnn Crohn, M. Ed is former classroom teacher turned parenting educator and life coach, helping moms feel confident in raising empowered kids while also pursuing their own goals. She’s the author of two books, Me & My Friendships and Drama Free Homework, and host of the award winning No Guilt Mom podcast. She lives in Arizona with her husband, 2 kids, and oversized lap dog
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