12/19/2025
“I hate it!” 🎁😭
Is there anything that stings more than a child’s negative reaction to a gift you were so excited to give them?
As parents, we pour so much heart into the holidays, so when our kids react with tears instead of a “thank you,” it feels like a personal rejection.
But here’s the clinical truth:
The ‘Polite Filter’ is a skill: Faking a smile is a complex social skill that kids are still practicing.
Expectations vs. Reality: Their brains often can’t bridge the gap between what they imagined and what is in front of them without a little help.
Sensory Overload is the real culprit: The holiday season is a lot for a little nervous system. Often, the gift meltdown isn’t about the toy—it’s about a brain that is simply “full.”
The most important thing to remember? They show you their biggest, messiest feelings because you are their secure base.
✨ HELP IS IN THE BIO: To help you keep the peace (and the regulation) this week, I’ve put together a FREE Sensory Overload Guide. It covers the sneaky signs of overstimulation and how to reset the nervous system fast.
Click the link in our bio to download your free copy!