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

Christmas is magic&hellip; until it isn&rsquo;t. Big feelings, tired kids, sugar highs, family drama, and festive chaos can turn the &ldquo;most wonderful time of the year&rdquo; into a meltdown marathon. In this episode, Justin and Kylie break down how to handle the full spectrum of Christmas emotions &mdash; without overreacting, over-parenting, or overcooking yourself into exhaustion. Real stories, practical tools, and realistic expectations&hellip; so your day stays joyful, not stressful.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why emotional regulation is harder for kids (and adults!) at Christmas</li>
<li aria-level="1">The real takeaway from the Marshmallow Experiment</li>
<li aria-level="1">The biggest mistake parents make: becoming &ldquo;at-home therapists&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why letting emotions settle works better than talking them down</li>
<li aria-level="1">The glitter-jar brain: a simple metaphor to help kids reset</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to use fantasy (&ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t it be great if&hellip;&rdquo;) to soothe disappointment</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why low expectations equal high connection</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to stop family tension &mdash; especially when alcohol is involved</li>
<li aria-level="1">When to step in&hellip; and when to step back</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
&ldquo;Big emotions on Christmas Day aren&rsquo;t a failure &mdash; they&rsquo;re developmentally normal. Give them time to settle, and most storms blow over in minutes.&rdquo;
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Set kids up for success: Protect sleep, reduce overstimulation, keep routines light.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Stay calm: Emotions are contagious &mdash; yours sets the tone.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Pause, don&rsquo;t fix: Give time for emotions to settle before intervening.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Use fantasy to empathise: &ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t it be amazing if&hellip;?&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Keep expectations low and flexibility high: Simplicity makes the day better.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Be mindful of adult emotions + alcohol: Redirect early, protect kids&rsquo; psychological safety.</li>
</ol>

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Surviving the Christmas Meltdown Season

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/3f474534-4f2c-4797-a0ac-b39f00aa3712/transcript