63: How to avoid holiday burnout: A therapist’s guide for overwhelmed parents, with Michelle Tangeman

If the holiday season leaves you feeling equal parts festive and frazzled… this episode is your pocket coach to a warmer, grounded season. 🎄✨

This week on The Life Management System for Working Moms podcast, I’m joined by Michelle Tangeman – licensed therapist, board-certified behavior analyst, co-host of the Parenting Understood podcast, and an expert in helping families navigate anxiety, behavior change, and emotional regulation.

Between the pressure to “make memories,” the Pinterest-perfect expectations, and the invisible labor of managing everyone’s feelings, parenting through the holidays can feel like a full-body sport.

So I brought Michelle on to help us make this season a little lighter, more intentional, and infinitely more sustainable.

If you’ve ever needed someone to officially grant you permission to do less, enjoy more, and stop performing holiday magic at your own expense, this one’s for you.

💡 INSIDE THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

• Practical tools for helping kids regulate their emotions when routines shift and overstimulation spikes
• What to do when you’re depleted before the holidays even begin
• Why so many moms feel pressure to create “perfect” holiday memories, and how to break the cycle
• How your childhood experiences shape your expectations as a parent during the holidays
• What to do when traditions stop feeling joyful (and start feeling like work)
• How to take annual inventory of your holiday obligations and release what no longer serves you
• Why reassessing your capacity is essential for protecting your mental health
• How to set realistic expectations without feeling guilty, behind, or “not festive enough”
• The mindset shift every overwhelmed parent needs this season ❤️

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED:

• Connect with Michelle Tangeman
• Connect with Courtney
• Join REtreat (yo’ self): A luxury girls’ weekend for overwhelmed working moms
• Episode 17 on practical ways to manage holiday stress
• Apollo Neuro and COURTNEY4 for $60 off
• Avocado short

💬 FAVORITE QUOTES:

“Take what feels good to you and be consistent with it.” – Michelle

“It’s OK to break up with traditions that don’t serve you, even if it’s just for this year.” – Michelle

“When moms are depleted, the holidays stop being holidays for us.” – Courtney

💥 EPISODE TAKEAWAY:

Holiday magic doesn’t come from doing more.

It comes from doing what matters, and letting go of everything that doesn’t.

📈 KEYWORDS:

holiday stress for moms, parenting through the holidays, holiday perfectionism, overwhelmed working moms, family behavior expert, emotional regulation for kids, holiday anxiety, parenting boundaries, mental health for mothers, breaking holiday traditions, Pinterest pressure, sustainable holiday planning, managing holiday expectations, working moms podcast, Michelle Tangeman interview, Parenting Understood podcast, behavior analyst tips, mom burnout, values-based parenting, holiday overwhelm solutions, Life Management System podcast