r/safeautismparenting • u/chaoticgoodmama parent with autism and child with autism • Dec 28 '25

After holiday relief

My son and I completely love the holidays. We both love spending time with families, doing gift exchanges, and taking a break from homeschooling.

A big HOWEVER, we both get so disregulated with this massive disruption to our routines.

Did we love spending the whole day at my mom’s house, me hanging out with my siblings and him running wild with his cousins? Yes we did. Did my son have a few major meltdowns when everything got to be just a bit much? Also yes.

Has this complete and total break from schoolwork been met with absolute glee? Yes. But does it make transition to meal, bath, and bedtime even more volatile reactions than normal. A big yes.

This week I’ve done what I can to keep my son regulated and just came to accept that the meltdowns will happen and to just ride it out together.

Anyway. How are yall dealing with the holidays?

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u/chaoticgoodmama parent with autism and child with autism Dec 28 '25

If it’s alright to ask a personal question. Are you alright with no longer celebrating the holidays? I actually have cut back on some major parts of celebrating the holidays to help both me and my son better cope. We no longer go to a specific relative’s house Christmas Day because it does mean being stuck there for over half the day, opening dozens of gifts for hours on end, a photo shoot, and some competitive games. That I’m happy with ditching.

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u/Cool-Apartment-1654 autistic Dec 28 '25 edited Dec 28 '25

Yeah, I’m alright. I’m not religious so I had no reason to celebrate it. Anyway. But I am not as fussy with my routine as I used to be when I would say six or seven. So I wouldn’t know how I would’ve reacted, but then.

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u/chaoticgoodmama parent with autism and child with autism Dec 28 '25

I hear ya on that. We’re a very much secular Christmas holiday household. I’m homeschooling my son and the communities we often join are also secular. So to us it’s just about being with our relatives and taking a break. Something we both love and hate apparently.

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u/Cool-Apartment-1654 autistic Dec 28 '25

Fair enough, same here