Ep 15. Holiday Madness

As the holiday season approaches, Stefanie Wilder-Taylor and her panel of guests dive into the madness that can ensue during this time of year on Parental Discretion with Stefanie Wilder-Taylor season 3 episode 15: Holiday Madness.

The show begins with Stefanie introducing her guests for the episode: author and comedian Heather McDonald, comedian and actor Chris Franjola, and author and blogger Jenny Lawson. The group starts out by discussing the pressures that can come with the holidays, such as gift-giving obligations, expectations to entertain and host, and navigating family dynamics.

From there, the conversation turns to the classic holiday movies and music that can add to the chaotic feelings of the season. The guests share their favorites and also talk about the problematic aspects of some of these cultural staples, such as the outdated gender roles and lack of diversity in many beloved films.

As the discussion continues, the panel begins to delve into the specific challenges that come with being a parent during the holidays. The pressure to create magical experiences for children while also keeping up with everyday responsibilities can be overwhelming, and the group shares their own experiences and coping mechanisms.

One particularly interesting topic that arises is how to handle Santa Claus with kids. Some parents opt to not perpetuate the myth of Santa, while others fully embrace it and go to great lengths to create elaborate Santa experiences for their children. The guests discuss the pros and cons of each approach and share their own stories of Santa-related mishaps and successes.

The conversation then turns to holiday traditions, both old and new. The guests talk about their own family traditions and how they've evolved over time, as well as some experimental new traditions they've tried out. They also touch on the importance of being flexible and open to change during the holidays, especially as kids grow up and family dynamics shift.

As the episode winds down, Stefanie and her guests share their holiday plans and offer up some final thoughts on how to survive the season with your sanity intact. They emphasize the importance of taking care of yourself and not getting too caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season.

Overall, Parental Discretion with Stefanie Wilder-Taylor season 3 episode 15: Holiday Madness offers a humorous and insightful look at the challenges and joys of the holiday season, particularly from a parental perspective. With a lively and engaging panel, this episode is definitely worth a watch for anyone looking to commiserate and find some tips for surviving the madness of the holidays.