Tricky In-law relationships, having the “perfect” Christmas and handling spending Christmas in NICU: Christmas Q&A | S3E36
It can be hard enough trying to keep up with everyone else’s “perfect” Christmases that you’ve seen on social media, let alone if you’re currently in or recently home from NICU. From Elf on the Shelf and family gatherings to Christmas lights trails and going to meet Father Christmas, December tends to be a month that is jam-packed with activities, leaving you feeling overwhelmed, fatigued and stressed out. I wanted to record this podcast episode to address a few questions I’ve had recently all about handling Christmas, how you can put yourself and your child first primarily, while staying on good terms with extended family and not burning out in the process.
I also want to add a special mention to those of you in NICU now – this is so, so hard. It’s not what you wanted or expected for your first Christmas together, and I hope that this podcast episode gives you a few ideas of how you can make this Christmas as “okay” as it can possibly be.
In this episode, I’m chatting about:
- Why the “perfect” Christmas doesn’t exist and how to make sure that you put yourself and your child first
- Enforcing boundaries at Christmas even though it feels much harder than usual
- How to handle seeing your in-laws over Christmas if you find the relationship you have with them challenging
- Spending Christmas in NICU and why whatever you’re feeling is valid and okay
- Grief and sadness at Christmas time
- Accepting your first Christmas at home in whatever form it looks like
Take what you need!
[00:48] A different kind of episode
[02:12] Why I want to talk about Christmas
[04:33] Putting yourself and your child first and ignoring calls to create the “perfect” Christmas
[10:21] Setting boundaries with your family at Christmas
[15:03] Getting along with in-laws at Christmas
[21:19] Spending your Christmas in neonatal care
[29:44] Handling emotions at Christmas time
[33:41] Advice for if this is your first Christmas at home
A huge thank you to Emma at Cover My Bubble for supporting our podcast - you can find out more about all that Cover My Bubble offer at www.covermybubble.co.uk
This Episode’s Links & Further Reading:
Connect with Miracle Moon: