For many families, this is one of those years where the holiday gift budget just doesn't stretch the way it used to. And that can bring up stress, guilt, and fear of disappointing the kids.

This episode reminds us that meaningful gifts don't have to be expensive, and your kids don't need more stuff to feel loved.

I'm sharing creative, budget-friendly gift ideas that help the holidays feel special without overspending or filling your house with things that will be forgotten by January.

You'll see how some of the best gifts cost very little, as they're rooted in time, attention, and thoughtfulness.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/384

Winter break can feel overwhelming when routines disappear and expectations rise.

Days lose their rhythm. Decision-making never ends. And even small things can feel harder than usual.

In this episode, I share a calmer way to get through winter break in one piece, with simple insights that help days feel more manageable, without doing more or trying harder.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/383

Winter break can bring up a mix of emotions for moms.

You might want to enjoy the extra time with your kids, but the lack of structure, routine, and personal space can make the days feel harder than you expect.

This episode breaks down what actually happens in your brain and body when the kids are on break, so you can understand your reactions with more clarity and compassion.

Once you understand what's underneath all the overwhelm, you can make the days feel lighter and easier to handle.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/382

The word "magic" has come up in almost every one of my coaching sessions this month.

If you're feeling responsible for creating a picture-perfect holiday season, you're not alone.

What starts as excitement quickly turns into rushing, planning, and managing everyone's experience.

The ease and joy you wanted? Gone.

In today's episode, I talk about how your stress affects your child more than you realize—and what actually creates the kind of magic they'll remember.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/381

When my older daughter was in preschool, I volunteered to be the room mom.

After that year, the teacher asked if I wanted to do it again.

I said no and felt zero guilt. None.

I simply didn't want to spend my time that way again.

Saying no made my life easier, not harder.

As the holidays approach, many moms convince themselves they should say yes to things they don't want to do (e.g. class parties, hosting, baking, gifting, organizing, coordinating), and then wonder why they feel stretched thin and resentful by December 15.

In today's episode, I'm talking about why holiday boundaries can feel so hard and what to do about it.

If you struggle to set and enforce boundaries, especially at the holidays, this episode will help you understand why your body won't let you say no, and what needs to change for you to protect your limits without abandoning yourself.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/380

You know that lump in your throat you try to swallow when you want to hold back tears?

Most of us do it automatically.

We tell ourselves we have to be strong because crying will make our kids worry, or that holding it together proves we're in control.

But what if tears aren't a sign of weakness at all? What if they're a gift to you and your kids?

In this episode, I'm sharing why sadness isn't something to fix or avoid.

You'll learn how allowing yourself to feel it (and sometimes express it in front of your kids) can regulate your nervous system, deepen your connection, and show your kids what emotional health really looks like.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/379

Nervous system work is the missing piece for so many moms who've tried therapy or mindset coaching and still find themselves reacting in ways they don't like.

In this episode, I'm sharing clips from an actual coaching session of mine. Over the course of the episode, you'll hear a mom's nervous system move from activation and anxiety to calm, relief, and hope—and I'll walk you through what's happening at each stage.

If you're curious about what somatic coaching is and how it can help you stay calm and connected, tune in to this episode.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/378

With Halloween just a few days away, I'm revisiting an early episode of the podcast that's still incredibly relevant.

I'm talking about the masks we wear as moms — not the kind that come with costumes and candy, but the ones we put on to appear calm, capable, or cheerful when we're actually struggling underneath.

You'll hear how these emotional masks keep us from the genuine connection we crave, and how learning to take them off can bring more peace, confidence, and authenticity into your life and relationships.

If you've ever felt like you had to hold it all together on the outside while quietly unraveling inside, this episode is for you.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/377