In the article “It’s A Universal Truth — The Holidays Are Exhausting For Women,” published on Nov 25, 2024, in the HuffPost, author Ariana DiValentino discusses the marked pattern of holiday responsibilities tending to fall on women. She uses “Fishes,” the sixth episode of the second season of The Bear, as an example to summarize this phenomenon. In this episode, the matriarch of the family faces the pressure of hosting a large, tense family gathering, culminating in an explosive scene where she leaves in her car, symbolizing her inability to cope with the familial and personal weight she carries.
The article goes on to mention how so much of the domestic load still falls on women, even now during the age of dual-income households. This load intensifies during the holidays when there’s more hosting, cleaning, cooking, and shopping. There’s an all too common theme of women feeling absolutely exhausted during the holidays. If you resonate with this, there’s some good news: family therapy for holiday stress can help lighten the load by fostering balance and understanding within your family unit.
Family Counseling Teaches You How to Ask For Help
A family therapist fosters open and honest communication, creating a safe space where women can express their feelings about the holiday stress they’re carrying. A therapist can help women learn to ask for help without guilt, a skill many find difficult when they feel societal or family pressure to “do it all.” It also guides other family members on how to respond—whether by sharing tasks, offering emotional support, or simply recognizing the invisible labor. These small shifts often make a huge difference in lessening holiday stress for women.
Your Family Therapist Teaches You How to Set Boundaries
Holiday stress often stems from endless tasks, but family therapy can help women set boundaries that align with their capacity. For example, rather than hosting the entire extended family, it may be time to take a break and host only the immediate kin. Or, if hosting the whole crew is important to you, setting boundaries could mean starting a new tradition where the extended family all contribute dishes, desserts, or decorations. Maybe at the end, everyone pitches in some way for the cleanup. By clearly defining what you can handle, you can turn the celebration from a typical solo act into a team effort. Your family therapist understands that honoring traditions may be very important to you. Still, they can help you set boundaries around these traditions to ease the pressure so you can feel better (and even enjoy these traditions more yourself!).
Family Therapy Sets Realistic Expectations for the Kids
Kids often dream big during the holidays—imagining piles of glittering presents, elaborate surprises, and picture-perfect Hallmark moments. While their excitement is heartwarming, these sky-high expectations can weigh heavily on moms, who often feel pressured to deliver magic at every turn. The result? Sleepless nights, stretched budgets, and an overwhelming sense of “not enough.” It’s a recipe for stress, where joy can feel like a task rather than a gift. Working with a family therapist in California gives parents the tools necessary to communicate realistic expectations with their kiddos. The goal is for the holidays to be joyful for all—moms included!
We’re Here to Help You Lighten the Load for a Happier Holiday Season
If you notice a pattern of feeling the overwhelm this time of year, family therapy for holiday stress addresses the root causes, helping you create healthier boundaries, communicate your needs effectively, and redefine what the holidays look like for your family. It’s a chance to lighten the load, foster teamwork, and bring back the joy of the season. The compassionate team at Lisa Eaton Therapy and Coaching is here to support you every step of the way. Reach out today to create a holiday season filled with connection and balance.
