Managing in the Chaos of the Christmas Holidays

The Christmas holidays are painted as magical, cosy nights, happy children, perfect dinners and calm moments by the tree. But for many of us, especially parents, Christmas is less silent night and more survival mode.

The chaos starts early. School routines disappear overnight. Sleep schedules go out the window. Toys multiply faster than you can tidy them, and the house somehow feels louder, messier and fuller every single day. Add family dynamics, financial pressure, emotional expectations and the weight of “making Christmas special,” and it can feel overwhelming fast.

Letting Go of the Perfect Christmas

One of the biggest sources of stress during the holidays is the pressure to get everything right. Perfect gifts. Perfect food. Perfect memories. But real Christmas doesn’t live in perfection. It lives in the messy moments. The mismatched wrapping paper, the burnt roast, the kids arguing five minutes after opening presents. That’s real life.

When we release the need for everything to look perfect, we create space to actually enjoy what’s happening in front of us.

Routines Matter – Even in Chaos

While routines shift during the holidays, having some structure can make all the difference. Simple anchors like regular mealtimes, quiet time in the afternoon, or a consistent bedtime routine help children feel safe and help parents feel less frazzled.

It doesn’t have to be strict. It just needs to be familiar.

Lower the Bar (And That’s Okay)

Not every day needs to be productive, creative or memorable. Some days are about surviving. Screen time might increase. The house might stay untidy. You might eat leftovers for the third day in a row. That doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means you’re human.

Christmas isn’t a performance. It’s a season.

Making Space for Your Emotions

The holidays can stir up a lot. Joy, nostalgia, grief, loneliness, frustration and sometimes all in the same day. It’s okay if Christmas doesn’t feel magical every moment. It’s okay if you’re tired, touched out, or emotionally drained.

Give yourself permission to feel what you feel without guilt.

Finding Calm in Small Moments

Calm doesn’t always come in big chunks during the holidays. Sometimes it’s found in small moments a hot cup of tea, a deep breath in the bathroom, five quiet minutes before the house wakes up, or a walk outside to reset your nervous system.

Those moments count.

You’re Doing Better Than You Think

If you’re holding everything together, even when it feels messy, you’re doing enough. Your children don’t need a perfect Christmas. They need you!!! Present, safe and loving, even in the chaos.

This season isn’t about doing more. It’s about being enough.

And if all you do this Christmas is survive the chaos with a bit of love and a lot of patience, that’s more than enough 🎄✨

Finding Calm in the Chaos of Teething

If you’re in the thick of teething right now, you’re probably wondering how something so tiny, a tooth barely the size of a grain of rice can cause so much chaos. One moment your baby is smiling, the next they’re a clingy, drooly bundle of frustration who refuses sleep, food, or any form of logic. Teething is one of those seasons in parenthood that feels messy, unpredictable, and emotionally draining. But it’s also one you can navigate with grace, patience, and a whole lot of calm.

The Chaos Nobody Warns You About

Teething doesn’t just show up with drool and swollen gums it brings a whole whirlwind:

Nights where sleep feels optional

Nap battles you didn’t sign up for

A baby who wants to be held… until they don’t

Endless chewing on everything except the teething toy you bought specifically for this moment

Random emotional outbursts (from baby and you)

Teething throws off routines, moods, and expectations. And when you’re running on little sleep with a baby who can’t explain what hurts, everything can feel louder, heavier, and more chaotic.

If it feels chaotic to you, that’s because it is. You’re not imagining it.

Why It Feels So Overwhelming

Teething is more than just a physical milestone. It’s a parenting trial full of emotional challenges:

Your baby is uncomfortable, and you desperately want to fix it.

Your calm gets tested at 2am, 4am, and then again at 5:30am.

Your daily rhythm becomes unpredictable.

You feel guilty for feeling frustrated… but you're human.

Teething pushes your patience and your energy, often at the same time.

Finding Calm in the Chaos

While you can’t stop teething from happening, you can create pockets of calm for both you and your baby. Small moments matter and they add up.

1. Slow the Pace

When the day feels wild, pause. Take a breath. Lower your shoulders. Your baby mirrors your energy, so grounding yourself creates a calm anchor for them.

2. Comfort Over Perfection

Forget the to-do list. The laundry can wait. Some days are about survival and cuddles, not productivity. A calm parent is worth more than a tidy home.

3. Create a Soothing Environment

Soft lighting, gentle sounds, warm cuddles these little touches help settle an overstimulated baby and soothe your own nervous system too.

4. Use Simple Soothing Tools

A chilled teether, a cool washcloth, or a gum massage can make all the difference. You don’t need fancy gadgets just consistency and comfort.

5. Rest When You Can (Yes, Really)

Your patience is directly tied to your energy. Take micro-breaks. Step outside for fresh air. Swap with a partner or friend if you can. Even two minutes of quiet can reset your whole mood.

6. Remind Yourself: This Is Temporary

It’s loud and messy and exhausting but it will pass. Those tiny teeth will break through, the sleep will return, and you’ll get your smiling baby back.

Baby Steps Toward Calm

Finding calm doesn’t mean the chaos disappears. It means you’re learning to move through it with softness and self-compassion. Your baby isn’t the only one growing, you are too.

This time may test you, but it’s shaping you into a stronger, more patient, more resilient parent. One day, you’ll spot those little teeth and think, “We did it. We survived that.”

And you will.

Understanding the Changes That Can Affect a Toddler’s Behaviour

Toddlers are incredible little humans curious, expressive, and constantly learning how the world works. But they’re also navigating huge developmental leaps and emotional waves that can make their behaviour change from one day to the next. As parents, it can feel confusing or overwhelming when your once calm child suddenly becomes clingy, irritable, or defiant. The truth is, toddler behaviour is deeply influenced by the changes happening both inside and around them.

Let’s explore the most common changes that can affect a toddler’s behaviour and how you can gently support them through each stage.

1. Developmental Milestones and Growth Spurts

Toddlers experience rapid brain and body development. New skills like talking, walking, or problem-solving can be exciting, but also overstimulating.

How it affects behaviour:

Increased frustration or tantrums

Mood swings

Changes in sleep

Clinginess or needing extra reassurance

Why: Their brain is working overtime, and they may struggle to communicate their needs clearly.

2. Shifts in Routine

Toddlers feel safest with consistency. Any disruption can feel huge to them, even if it’s small to us.

Common routine changes include:

Starting nursery or childcare

A new sibling

Parents returning to work

Changes in nap schedules

Moving house

Behavioural signs:

Regression (e.g., sleep, toileting, language)

Separation anxiety

Refusal to participate in normal activities

3. Emotional Development

Toddlers are learning to identify emotions but don’t yet have the tools to regulate them.

This might look like:

Sudden tears

hitting, biting, or pushing

Saying “no” constantly

Hiding, clinging, or refusing

They’re not being "naughty" they’re overwhelmed.

4. Sensory Changes and Overload

A new environment, loud noises, or too many activities can overwhelm sensitive toddlers.

Signs include:

Covering ears

Avoiding certain textures or foods

Running away or melting down

Becoming extra tired or irritable

Their behaviour is often a communication of discomfort.

5. Changes in Sleep or Appetite

Sleep regressions, growth spurts, or changes in diet all influence mood and behaviour.

For example:

A tired toddler may seem hyper or emotional

A hungry toddler may be cranky or aggressive

Many parents notice a direct link between sleep quality and behaviour the next day.

6. Social and Environmental Changes

As toddlers start interacting more with others, social expectations grow too.

Changes such as:

New caregivers

Interactions with other toddlers

Visiting new environments

Family stress or tension

Toddlers can absorb the emotional atmosphere around them, even if they can’t express it.

7. Teething and Physical Discomfort

Even in toddlerhood, molars and canines can cause pain.

This can lead to:

Restless sleep

Whining

Chewing on objects

Irritability

It’s hard for them to behave calmly when something physically hurts.

8. The Desire for Independence

Toddlerhood is the beginning of “I do it!”

They want freedom but also still need you.

Clashes happen when:

You step in to help

They can’t do something on their own

They don’t have the words to explain their frustration

This internal conflict often shows up as defiance or tantrums.

How You Can Support Your Toddler

Stay patient and consistent they thrive on stability.

Narrate emotions: “I see you’re frustrated because the toy won’t work.”

Prepare them for changes with simple explanations.

Offer choices to increase independence.

Prioritise connection even 10 minutes of focused play helps.

Keep routines predictable wherever possible.

Remember: behaviour is communication. Toddlers aren’t trying to give us a hard time they’re having a hard time.

Every toddler will go through periods of change that influence how they behave. These shifts aren’t signs of bad behaviour, poor parenting, or anything you’re doing wrong. They’re simply part of growing up. By understanding what’s going on beneath the surface, you can approach each phase with empathy, patience, and confidence.

You’re doing an amazing job

more than you know.