Surviving (and Thriving) the Holidays: Executive Function Tips for Parents

The holidays are full of joy, connection, and… chaos. Between school events, family gatherings, travel, and gift planning, it’s easy for even the most organized parents to feel overwhelmed. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Where did I put that permission slip?” or “Why do I feel so scattered?” — you’re not alone.

The truth is, the holiday season places a huge demand on executive functioning skills — those brain-based abilities that help us plan, prioritize, manage time, regulate emotions, and stay flexible when things don’t go as planned. This is where parent coaching can make a difference — helping you build strategies that support both you and your kids during stressful seasons like the holidays.

Executive Function Tips to Help You Thrive During the Holidays

Here’s how you can use a few executive function strategies to stay calm, organized, and even enjoy the magic of the holidays.

1. Plan Backward (Not Just Forward)

Instead of starting from today and listing everything you need to do, try starting with the end in mind. Ask yourself:

• What date is the school concert, the trip, or the family dinner?

• What needs to happen before then (buying supplies, wrapping gifts, packing, etc.)?Then, work backward to assign small, specific tasks to each week. This helps prevent last-minute stress and gives you a clearer sense of what’s truly essential.

Executive Function Focus: Planning + Time Management

2. Make the Invisible Visible

Our brains can only hold so much information at once. Externalizing your plans reduces mental clutter and increases follow-through. Try:

• A family command center with a whiteboard calendar

• A shared digital calendar (color-coded by family member)

• A “holiday binder” with lists, recipes, receipts, and wish lists

When you can see your responsibilities, it’s easier to prioritize — and to delegate.

Executive Function Focus: Working Memory + Organization

3. Simplify Decisions to Avoid Burnout

Decision fatigue is real — and the holidays are full of choices. What to buy, what to bring, who to see, what traditions to keep… It’s endless. To protect your brainpower:

• Automate where you can (same breakfast every morning, same outfit theme for parties)

• Make “good enough” your motto — the store-bought pie is fine!

• Choose one or two meaningful traditions and let the rest go this year

Executive Function Focus: Prioritization + Cognitive Flexibility

4. Regulate Before You React

The holidays can stir up big emotions — for kids and adults alike. When stress levels rise, executive functions dip. Try building in small moments of regulation for yourself and your family:

• Pause before responding when emotions run high

• Schedule downtime between events

• Model self-talk like, “This is a lot right now, but I can take a breath and make a plan.”

Executive Function Focus: Emotional Regulation + Inhibition

5. Set Realistic Routines (and Re-entry Plans)

When regular routines disappear during the holidays, it can be disorienting — especially for kids. Create a flexible structure:

• Keep anchor points (consistent wake-up, meal, and bedtime routines)

• Prepare kids for transitions back to school with countdowns or visual schedules

• Give yourself grace — it’s normal for routines to loosen, but having a plan helps everyone adjust more easily

Executive Function Focus: Flexibility + Task Initiation

6. Involve the Whole Family

Executive functioning isn’t just for adults — it’s a skill set kids develop over time. Let them share the load:

• Kids can help make checklists, wrap gifts, or manage their own packing

• Talk openly about how you stay organized or handle frustration

• Celebrate teamwork rather than perfection

Executive Function Focus: Metacognition + Collaboration

It’s normal for these skills to feel challenging, especially when life gets hectic. Parent coaching offers guidance and accountability to help you stay on track — not just during the holidays, but year-round.

A Final Thought

The holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. By focusing on planning, prioritizing, and regulating emotions for yourself and your children, and with the support of a parent coach from Finding Focus Therapy, you create more space for presence, joy, and connection.

Remember: executive function isn’t about control — it’s about intentionality. And that’s the greatest gift you can give your family this season.

Build Calm, Connection, and Confidence This Holiday Season with Parent Coaching in Boulder County, CO

Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of the holidays? Parent coaching in Boulder County, CO can help you strengthen executive functioning skills so your family can stay grounded and connected — even during the busiest season. Reach out to Finding Focus Therapy today to create a personalized plan that helps you thrive, not just survive, this holiday season. Follow these three simple steps to get started:

1. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discover how parent coaching in Boulder County, CO can support your family this season.

2. Work with a compassionate parent coach at Finding Focus Therapy to strengthen executive functioning skills and create lasting change.

3. Find calm, connection, and confidence so you can truly enjoy the magic of the holidays together.

Additional Services Offered at Finding Focus Therapy

At Finding Focus Therapy, I offer executive functioning support for parents, adults, and young adults who want to feel calmer, confident, and capable—especially during busy seasons like the holidays. Together, we’ll uncover what’s getting in the way of your routines and design realistic systems that make it easier to plan ahead, manage time, and stay grounded when life feels overwhelming. For parents, coaching focuses on balancing family responsibilities with self-care; for adults and young adults, it’s about finding clarity, consistency, and confidence in work, relationships, and personal growth.

Beyond strengthening executive functioning skills, the goal is lasting change—creating supportive routines that work in real life, not just on paper. In a collaborative and nonjudgmental space, we’ll build habits and mindsets that help you feel organized, focused, and ready to enjoy what matters most. You can also explore my blog for more brain-based strategies and practical tools to help you thrive through every season.

About the Author

Liz Morrison, LCSW, is a therapist and executive functioning coach based in Boulder, CO, and the founder of Finding Focus Therapy. Drawing on more than ten years of clinical experience, Liz helps adults, young adults, and parents develop the skills and systems that bring more calm, clarity, and confidence to daily life. She knows how challenging it can be to manage competing demands while staying connected to what truly matters, and she approaches every session with warmth, curiosity, and practical tools designed to make real change possible. Her work combines evidence-based methods with a supportive, relatable style that empowers clients to feel grounded and capable—even when life feels chaotic.

Outside of one-on-one work, Liz provides training and workshops for schools, organizations, and community programs. These interactive sessions give participants actionable strategies for managing stress, improving focus, and maintaining balance in their everyday routines. Whether she’s supporting parents navigating family dynamics or adults rebuilding structure after burnout, Liz is dedicated to helping people move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling organized, confident, and in control.