How to Survive Holiday Family Gatherings With a Teen Who Has Anxiety, ADHD, or Depression

The holiday season is meant to be joyful and connecting—but for many families, it can quickly become overwhelming. Between big gatherings, clashing personalities, differing expectations, and the emotional needs of teens and tweens (especially those with ADHD, depression, or other challenges), parents often feel stretched thin and unsure how to navigate it all.

In this grounding episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen break down how to manage holiday stress, communicate clearly with extended family, protect your child’s emotional needs, and set realistic expectations so the season feels more peaceful and less pressured.

They explore the emotional realities families face—when relatives don’t understand your teen’s behavior, when unsolicited advice makes things worse, when expectations clash, and when you feel caught in the middle trying to keep everyone happy. Through practical strategies and compassionate guidance, they offer tools that help parents approach the holidays with more clarity, connection, and confidence.

Together, Dr. Caron and Dr. Allen unpack:

• Why holidays can feel overwhelming for teens—especially those with ADHD, depression, or anxiety
• How to help extended family understand your teen’s needs without oversharing
• What to do when relatives intervene in ways that worsen the situation
• Communication strategies that reduce tension and increase support
• Why a single “family ally” can shift the whole dynamic
• How to set boundaries and roles with kindness and clarity
• The power of adjusting expectations—and why it protects your wellbeing
• When it might be healthier to modify traditions (and why that’s okay)
• How to approach holiday plans when you feel judged, stressed, or stretched thin

Here are some highlights from the episode:

00:00 — Why the Holidays Can Feel Stressful for Families (Especially With Teens)

01:32 — The Holiday Season Can Be Fun and Stressful

02:11 — Stress and Family Management Strategies for the Holiday Season

02:26 — Tip 1: Don’t Assume Others Understand Your Child’s Needs

04:46 — Helping Family Members Understand Your Child’s Experience

08:03 — Tip 2: Considering Other Perspectives Within the Family

10:05 — Tip 3: Being Clear About What Helps and What Doesn’t

13:05 — Why Sometimes You Only Need One Supportive Ally

15:05 — Aligning Your Expectations With Reality During the Holidays

17:10 — Redefining Family Traditions When Needed

If your holidays often feel chaotic, emotionally loaded, or hard to predict, this episode offers evidence-based, compassionate tools to help your family feel more grounded—so you can focus on what truly matters.

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DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely
 on the information presented in this podcast as as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.