Dr. Dave Anderson and special guest Dr. Marc Brackett, the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, discuss the importance of understanding and managing emotions, especially in today's world. Dr. Brackett shares insights from his books, 'Permission to Feel' and 'Dealing with Feeling', and highlights practical strategies for emotional regulation. Whether you're a parent, educator, or caregiver, this conversation offers valuable guidance on raising emotionally healthy children and the vital role of emotion regulation in achieving well-being and success.

Further Reading from the Child Mind Institute

• How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation?
• How to Help Children Calm Down

And more from Dr. Marc Brackett

• Dealing with Feeling

In this Q&A follow-up to last week’s Thanksgiving special, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions about emotional self-regulation, holiday expectations, and the stress that comes with getting everyone together under one roof.

You’ll hear quick, practical guidance on:

• Managing holiday expectations so you don’t end up disappointed
• How much to plan during winter break
• Loosening screen limits without losing control
• What to do about kids who refuse holiday meals
• Teens who disappear the moment break starts
• Handling gift-giving reactions and gratitude
• Protecting your own energy and avoiding resentment
• Resetting when the day goes off the rails

If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, we hope your day feels manageable. If you’re outside the U.S., these questions apply to any big family gathering — December holidays, birthdays, and every festival that brings people together.

The holidays can feel like a marathon for parents — full of expectations, logistics, and emotions. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with clinical psychologist (and new parent) Dr. Kimberly Alexander about what she calls “running the gauntlet” of the holiday season.

They unpack how to manage your own expectations, keep kids regulated, and handle tricky family moments — without losing your sense of humor or sanity.

You’ll learn:

• Why “know thy child” might be the best holiday mantra
• How to balance structure and flexibility when school’s out
• What to do when your child’s behavior doesn’t match your “perfect family” vision
• How to set boundaries with relatives who take it personally
• Tips for teaching gratitude and handling gift-giving meltdowns

Dr. Alexander also shares what she calls “the Kim package” — her practical approach to balancing family needs, setting limits with grace, and remembering that every year looks different.

Chapters (adjust as needed):

00:00 – Welcome to Thriving Kids

01:00 – Why the holidays can feel so intense for parents

05:00 – The “perfect family” myth and social media pressure

07:00 – “Know thy child”: tailoring expectations

10:00 – Setting structure and boundaries that work

13:00 – Handling relatives who push back

17:00 – Teen dynamics and validation

20:00 – Teaching gratitude (and managing disappointment)

29:00 – Giving yourself grace

Related resources:

• childmind.org/article/helping-kids-cope-with-holiday-stress/
• childmind.org/article/managing-family-stress-during-the-holidays/
• childmind.org/article/helping-kids-cope-with-changes-in-routine/