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This is the week when emotions tend to run high. The excitement is real. So is the overwhelm. Kids are counting down, routines are stretched thin, sleep is off, and expectations are everywhere. Joy and stress often show up side by side.

And it’s not just kids.

The holidays can be emotionally complicated for adults, too. For some, holidays bring grief, loss, or reminders of relationships that have changed. For others, they highlight loneliness, financial stress, or family dynamics that are challenging navigate. Even when things look joyful on the outside, a lot can be happening underneath.

Our kids feel that emotional weight, whether we name it or not.

As dads, it can be tempting to push past the hard moments. To redirect quickly. To fix the meltdown. To get back to the part of the holidays that looks good. However, kids don’t experience the holiday season in neat, pieces all the time. Their little nervous systems are taking in lights, sounds, crowds, sugar, travel, and anticipation all at once. Add in the emotional undercurrent of the season, and it’s a lot to hold!

Big feelings don’t mean we’re doing anything wrong. Often, they mean our kids feel safe enough to let it all out with us.

Holding space doesn’t mean solving the feeling. It means staying present. It means allowing frustration, sadness, excitement, or disappointment to move through without rushing to suppress it. When we stay steady, our kids learn that emotions aren’t dangerous and that connection doesn’t disappear when things feel hard.

Our kids are learning emotional safety through how we respond to feelings, not how quickly we fix them. When we can stay calm and compassionate during emotional moments, we teach our kids that feelings are manageable and temporary.

The holidays amplify emotions for everyone. How we show up now becomes part of the emotional blueprint our kids carry forward into future seasons.

Dad Takeaways:

Say, “This feels like a lot right now,” before trying to fix anything.

Your presence helps regulate more than explanations ever could.

Not every moment needs to be joyful. Safety and connection matter more.

Holding space is one of the most powerful forms of leadership we offer as dads.

Reply directly to this email with your question, or use this quick form to submit anonymously. Whether it’s about family routines, connecting with your kids, or managing stress, I’m here to help!

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