Parents Holiday Guide: Make Space for the Joy AND the Pain

Parents Holiday Guide: Make Space for the Joy AND the Pain

Author: Evie Mpras, MS, LMFT December 4, 2025 Duration: 11:35

This holiday episode is not a guide for gifts or juggling holiday plans- it gets to the core of what truly brings the joy of the season- inner peace and connection.

Working with hundreds of couples and parents, I consistently see a tendency to avoid tough feelings in an effort to escape reality and curate an idealized version of the season.

The thing is, this usually makes people and relationships more tense. It's not actually helpful. So what is?

In this episode, I'll share

  • why it's hard to be fully present for all our feelings as parents during the holidays
  • an example from a couple I worked with last year, who experienced the relief of facing difficult feelings
  • how facing pain opens the path for more joy

This is a shortie but a goodie.

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*This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*


There's a quiet shift that happens after a baby arrives, where the focus understandably turns to the newborn, yet the foundation of the family-the partnership-often strains under new pressures. Bonds after Baby: Rebuild your marriage, reduce postpartum resentment & guard maternal mental health speaks directly into that space. Hosted by Evie Mpras, a licensed marriage and family therapist, this podcast is a resource for parents who find themselves navigating unexpected conflict and a sense of disconnection even as they manage all the practical preparations. It’s for those who sometimes feel resentment, isolation, or a fading spark, and who long to reclaim a sense of teamwork and intimacy. Each episode offers grounded, professional insights from Evie’s practice, focusing on actionable communication strategies, managing mental load, and fostering emotional safety. You’ll hear discussions on repairing ruptures, dividing unseen labor, and protecting maternal well-being as a cornerstone for the whole family. This isn’t about adding more to your to-do list; it’s about transforming the quality of your connection from the inside out, turning postpartum challenges into a pathway for a stronger, more resilient partnership. Tune in for honest conversations that help you guard your mental health and rebuild the bond that started it all.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 38

Bonds after Baby: Rebuild your marriage, reduce postpartum resentment & guard maternal mental health
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