A Kinder Holiday Season: How Parents and Employers Can Lighten the Load
By Amélie Moncel | Mindset & Identity Coach for Working Mums
Every year, the lead-up to Christmas brings the same mix of excitement and chaos: deadlines to close, kids finishing school, end-of-year events, and the emotional (and logistical) marathon that is December.
For working parents, it’s not just the holiday season, it’s The Great Holiday Juggle.
And while it’s easy to think the key is better time management, what actually makes the difference is mindset, structure, and support at home and at work.
The Reality: One Season, Three Phases
Over the years, I’ve noticed that the holidays follow a familiar rhythm and each stage brings its own pressures:
When we acknowledge these phases, we can plan for them, not just react to them.
For Parents: Aim for “Good Enough,” Not Perfect
The pressure to do it all, to work efficiently, create magic for the kids, stay connected to extended family, and somehow rest, is unsustainable.
A more realistic approach?
Lower the bar intentionally. It’s not failure; it’s freedom.
Focus on moments, not days. A five-minute connection with your child beats a packed itinerary.
Buy back time. Use convenience food, school holiday programmes, or house help without guilt, you’re investing in calm.
Anchor your days. Keep a few simple routines: breakfast together, quiet time, bedtime rituals. Predictability creates ease.
Be kind to yourself. When something doesn’t go to plan, practice neutrality instead of self-blame: “This isn’t perfect, but it’s okay.”
When parents lead with kindness towards themselves, that calm ripples through the whole family.
For Employers: Why It Matters
The holiday juggle doesn’t stay at home, it impacts energy, focus, and emotional load at work.
Supporting working parents through this time isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s a performance and retention strategy.
Here’s how employers can help:
Acknowledge the season. A simple “We know this time of year can be full-on” goes a long way.
Offer flexibility. Hybrid days, early finishes, or meeting-free afternoons show trust and understanding.
Share resources. Internal workshops or wellbeing sessions (like The Great Holiday Juggle) give practical tools and show care.
Encourage rest. Normalise switching off. Leaders who model it give permission for others to do the same.
When parents feel supported, they return more engaged, not depleted. And when workplaces show empathy, they build loyalty.
The Bigger Picture
The goal isn’t to make the holidays stress-free, that’s impossible.
It’s to make them lighter, kinder, and more human.
Whether you’re a parent doing your best to stay calm or a leader looking to create space for your team to breathe, remember:
Thriving doesn’t come from doing more, it comes from doing what matters, and letting the rest go.
About Amelie Moncel
Amelie is a Mindset & Identity Coach for working mums and the leaders who support them. She helps organisations and parents navigate transitions with confidence, balance, and authenticity.
