Setting up the Christmas tree

Being A Good Enough Parent - at Christmas

Online Therapy
December 04, 2025•0 min read

Christmas can be a challenging time for parents, with increased parenting stress during the holidays and pressure to create the “perfect” festive season. In this video, Child Counsellor Anita Cottle explores how the PACE model—Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy—can help parents practise “good enough parenting at Christmas.” Using evidence-based, attachment-informed parenting strategies, Anita shares practical tips to reduce holiday parenting pressure, strengthen parent-child connection, and support children’s emotional wellbeing during the festive season. This guidance is designed to help parents focus on meaningful connection rather than perfection, making the holidays calmer and more enjoyable for the whole family.

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Anita is a certified child counsellor who specialises in supporting children and young people aged 8 to 21. She offers a warm, compassionate, and personalised approach to therapy, creating a safe space where young people feel heard, understood, and valued.

Anita Cottle

Anita is a certified child counsellor who specialises in supporting children and young people aged 8 to 21. She offers a warm, compassionate, and personalised approach to therapy, creating a safe space where young people feel heard, understood, and valued.

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