Reimagining the Holidays as a Postpartum Mom
What traditions will you keep, release, and create?
Teo is now 8 months, and it’s officially his first holiday season.
This year has been a lot of firsts. His first giggle, his first blowout (first of many 😅), and now his first experience of twinkle lights on our Christmas tree in his cozy flannels.
His eyes light up at the sight of colorful lights, and experiencing this season through his gaze has been pure magic. 🤩
And as magical as it feels, there’s another layer I’ve been processing.
Holidays as a daughter of immigrants (and now, mom)
As a daughter of immigrants, I didn’t grow up with big, elaborate holiday traditions.
My mom was basically raising three kids on her own in a new country, focused on surviving and navigating a new language and culture.
The holidays were simple, quiet, but special—a rare time when my appa (dad), who lived in Korea most of my life, could be with us sometimes.
There were gifts and dinners, but it just wasn’t this huge social event. Plus, we moved around a lot growing up, so I never associated the holidays with a specific tradition or place…getting together as a little family was enough and felt complete.
Contrast that with my husband Nick’s family: large gatherings with extended family members and their partners and their pets, stockings for everyone, and lifelong traditions like picking out the perfect tree at the same local farm year after year, standing in line at 9am the weekend after every Thanksgiving.
Neither is better or worse—just different experiences that have shaped us to understand what holidays mean to us and what we’re used to experiencing.
And now, as parents, we find ourselves reflecting on how we want to create holiday traditions for Teo.
What Will We Keep, Release, and Create?
This year, we took Teo to the farm to pick out his first tree, and as we’ve been moving through the season, we’ve been reflecting:
1️⃣ What traditions are we keeping and passing on from each of our families?
2️⃣ What traditions do we want to create for Teo?
3️⃣ What expectations or “shoulds” are we ready to release, without guilt?
These questions feel especially relevant as a postpartum mom.
Holiday “Shoulds” as a Postpartum Mom
The holidays can easily turn into a whirlwind of endless to-dos, pressure to make everything magical, and the creeping “shoulds”:
I should create the perfect, magical first holiday for my baby. (or 2nd, 3rd, etc)
I should make sure everyone is happy and I meet their expectations and needs.
I should do it all while keeping it all together.
Add the demands of postpartum and motherhood—feeling exhausted, overstimulated, sleep deprived, and constantly putting someone else’s needs above your own—and it’s no wonder so many of us end up in survival mode and overwhelmed before the season even begins.
So what if this year could be different?
What if the holidays became a time of generational joy, not just something to “get right” or “get through”?
This shift isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what feels aligned.
Holiday Reminders for Postpartum Moms
Here’s what I’m reminding myself (and inviting you to consider too):
Rest is essential. Your healing and wellbeing are a priority, not a luxury.
You don’t have to do it all. Ask for help when you need it.
Honor your body. It’s been through so much this year. Your limits are valid.
There’s no perfect holiday. The messiness can be magical too.
You can feel it all. Joy, grief, exhaustion—it’s all part of your journey.
Your presence is the greatest gift. For yourself, your baby, and loved ones.
Rewriting Generational Stories Through Motherhood
Motherhood is such a powerful opportunity to rewrite what we pass down.
The most meaningful tradition we can create is one of joy, ease, and connection—for ourselves and our babies—in our own messy imperfect way.
If this resonates, I’d love to support you in creating a motherhood experience and life in 2025 that feels aligned, joyful, and uniquely yours.
Book your free consultation call today. Let’s move from survival to thriving, together.
Rooting for you,
Eunice
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Hi 👋🏼 I'm Eunice (she/her).
I’m a Somatic Business Coach for visionary daughters of immigrants, entrepreneurs, and creatives. I help you embody your brilliance, shine unapologetically, and create a thriving business and life you love, without burning out. ❤️🔥
Learn more about me & my 1:1 coaching.
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