Supporting Your Child Who Stutters During the Holiday Season
- Martha Horrocks
- Dec 9, 2024
- 4 min read
The holiday season is a time of joy, excitement, and cherished traditions—but it can also bring changes in routine, busy schedules, and heightened emotions. For children who stutter, these shifts can feel dysregulating, leading to tiredness, overstimulation, and potentially more noticeable stuttering.
This is completely normal. Stuttering naturally changes with emotions, energy levels, and the environment—especially during busy times like the holidays. It’s not something to fix but simply part of how your child navigates this exciting season.
Our goal as parents isn’t to reduce stuttering—it’s to provide steady support, helping our kids feel safe, confident, and connected during this busy time.
How the Holidays Can Impact Stuttering
During the holidays, you may notice that stuttering feels more frequent or changes in new ways. That’s okay—it’s part of your child’s natural response to a season full of excitement and change.
Excitement and Overstimulation: The holidays are full of energy—from bustling family gatherings to the excitement of gift-giving. For kids, this joy can sometimes feel overwhelming, leading to overstimulation that may impact how they feel, including stuttering.
Changes in Routine: Disrupted schedules and unpredictable days can feel overwhelming.
Increased Social Demands: Holiday gatherings bring more conversations and new interactions, which can feel challenging for kids who stutter.
It’s okay for stuttering to feel different during this time. The focus isn’t on trying to prevent or manage it but on creating a supportive environment where your child feels valued and secure.
How You Can Provide Mindful Support
Here are some small but impactful ways to help your child navigate the holidays while honoring their unique needs:
→ Create Predictability Where You Can
Even when schedules feel unpredictable, small moments of structure—like a bedtime story or a consistent mealtime—can help ground your child.
Build small routines into each day, like a consistent wake-up time, bedtime ritual, or family meal.
Offer a “schedule preview” for the day to reduce uncertainty.
Example: “We’ll decorate cookies in the morning, then go to Grandma’s after lunch. If you feel like taking a break, that’s okay too.”
These small moments of predictability can help your child feel more grounded in a season full of newness.
→ Look for Opportunities to Recharge
Taking a breather together—like stepping outside for fresh air—can be just as restorative for you as it is for your child.
Help your child find quiet moments during busy days.
Example: Suggest reading together, going outside for a quick walk, or creating a cozy corner for downtime.
Let them know it’s okay to take a break at gatherings if they’re feeling overwhelmed.
You’re teaching them that their needs matter, and it’s okay to honor those feelings.
→ Support Their Emotions Without Fixing Them
By calmly acknowledging and validating their emotions, you show your child that all feelings are okay—and that they don’t have to face them alone.
Acknowledge your child’s emotions, whether it’s excitement, frustration, or nervousness, without trying to change how they feel.
Example: “It’s okay to feel a little nervous about seeing everyone today. I’m here if you need to talk or just want a hug.”
Reinforce that stuttering is okay, even if it feels different during the holidays.
Example: “It’s okay if talking feels harder today. What you have to say is important.”
Your calm and validation provide a foundation of safety for your child.
→ Focus on Connection
The holidays are about connection, not perfection. Highlighting small wins can help your child feel confident and celebrated.
Celebrate their effort, whether it’s joining a conversation, telling a story, or simply participating in their way.
Example: “I loved hearing you tell Uncle Mike about your favorite movie!”
Help them see that their voice is a gift, no matter how it’s shared.
These affirmations build confidence and help your child associate the holidays with positive communication experiences.
Don’t Forget to Care for Yourself!
The holidays can feel overwhelming for parents too. Supporting your child while managing your own responsibilities can leave you stretched thin. Remember:
You don’t have to be perfect. Small, mindful moments of connection matter more than creating an ideal holiday.
Take moments to recharge. Whether it’s a quiet cup of tea, a short walk, or five minutes of deep breathing, giving yourself care makes you a stronger support for your child.
Celebrate your efforts. You’re doing an incredible job simply by showing up and being there for your child.
Your presence, patience, and love are the greatest gifts you can give this season—to both your child and yourself.
The holidays are a time for connection, joy, and celebration. By being mindful of your child’s needs, validating their emotions, and offering gentle support, you can create an environment where they feel confident and valued—no matter how their stuttering shows up.
Above all, remember that stuttering is naturally variable and will shift during this busy season. There’s no ‘right’ way to handle the holidays. What matters most is showing up with love and understanding, reminding your child that they’re valued just as they are.
Looking for More Tools?
If you’re ready to explore more ways to support your child, check out our Parent Guide—a comprehensive resource designed to help you navigate every season with confidence and care.
