(NewsUSA) - As the holiday lights go up and the to-do lists grow, parents everywhere are navigating a season that should feel joyful, but all too often doesn’t. According to KinderCare Learning Companies 2025 Parent Confidence Index, six in ten parents surveyed say, “I feel overwhelmed by the demands of being a parent.”

That’s a clear signal: parenting, even during the season of cheer, can feel like a pressure cooker. 

Here are five mindful strategies to help parents protect their mental health through the holidays, and one way KinderCare is stepping in to offer a meaningful gift for parents.

1. Trim the expectation tree

We often bring to the season an idea of “perfect” traditions, picture-worthy moments and magic. But the pressure to hit that mark is heavy. Give yourself permission to let some things slide. Try prioritizing one meaningful activity rather than every option on the list.

2. Schedule a pause

Between school concerts, errands, social obligations and caring for little ones, the days blur. Carving out even 15 minutes of quiet, such as coffee alone, a short walk or a few mindful breaths, can shift the tone. Treat this pause like an appointed meeting you can’t skip.
And if you can delegate some household tasks: ask a partner, family member or friend to give you a break.

3. Connect with your “village”

It’s not just you. More than half of parents say their friends’ mental health worries them. That means you’re part of a collective experience. Reach out to another parent, share the real talk and lean in together. A short check-in call, or even a quick group text chat, can help you realize you’re not alone.

4. Frame “good enough” as the new perfect

Holiday cards show smiling families; social media posts show ideal tablescapes. But behind the scenes, late bedtimes, meltdowns and mismatched socks are still real and still ok. When you accept that “good enough” is enough, you reduce your mental load. Your children don’t need you to be perfect. They just need you to be engaged, present and calm.

5. Gift yourself the gift of time

Arguably, the best gift you can offer yourself (and your children) is time. Time to recharge, time to reset, time to show up as your best self. That’s why KinderCare Learning Companies is offering something meaningful for busy families: a day of free care at select KinderCare Learning Center locations and Crème Schools nationwide now through December 31. This offer gives parents breathing room, whether to shop for and wrap gifts, finish tasks, rest, or simply enjoy being present.

A final holiday mantra

“Self-care is parenting care.” By protecting your own mental health, you’re actually giving your children a more grounded, peaceful parental presence, which means richer memories, more genuine joy and less invisible stress. With simpler expectations, intentional pauses, connection to fellow parents, acceptance of “good enough,” and that invaluable gift of time, you can steer your holiday season toward something heartfelt and sustainable.

Because beneath the glitter and hustle, what truly matters is presence. Peace. A parent who feels okay, rather than frantic.