19/12/2025
Christmas is a beautiful time of year, but for many families of teenagers, it’s also a stormy one. Teens finally exhale after a massive year. Parents are carrying the invisible load of organising, cooking, wrapping, hosting, and managing everyone’s expectations. Those two internal worlds collide, and suddenly the smallest moments — a forgotten dishwasher, a closed bedroom door, the tenth request to put down the phone — feel bigger than they need to be.
So here’s a gentle perspective shift as we move toward the holiday season.
In Australia, we hope for a sunny Christmas Day, but we all know we might also be met with summer rain. If it rains, we accept it and make a plan B. We don’t panic. We adapt.
The same is true for the emotional weather inside your home. The end of the year brings predictable internal storms: your own fatigue, the pressure of wrapping up work, the mental load of hosting, and the emotional edges that come with seeing family. Your teen, meanwhile, is craving downtime after a full year of school, assessments, friendships, and constant expectations. Put these two things together and yes — an emotional thunderstorm is more likely to roll in.
But there’s nothing wrong with storms. Storms pass.
So take a breath. Acknowledge that this season is busy and intense, and that you don’t need to parent your teen as if the weather should be clear blue skies. Look after yourself. Make space for a rest. Drop the pressure where you can. Prepare emotionally for a season that might be a little bumpy — not because you’re doing anything wrong, but because it’s simply that time of year.
And when the moment feels calm for both of you, gently revisit shared expectations about screens, chores, and responsibilities. Calm conversations land better than urgent ones.